It has been revealed that four in five of plant-based meals served by well-recognised high street chains in the UK contain high levels of salt.
Research by campaign group Action on Salt found that 80% of vegan restaurant meals would attract a ‘red traffic light’ label for their salt content. Three out of five vegan restaurant meals surveyed were found to contain 3g or more of salt, which is half of an adult’s maximum daily recommended intake. Furthermore, 19 of the tested meals were found to exceed that limit, containing 6g or more of salt.
The saltiest dish among the sample was a vegan American hot medium pizza from Papa John’s. It was discovered that the pizza, which uses ‘pepperoni’ made from jackfruit, contained 9.28g of salt, which is more than you would find in seven McDonald’s hamburgers.
Other offenders include seafood chain Loch Fyne, whose spiced roasted cauliflower and squash goan curry contained 8.65g of salt, while Bella Italia’s vegan cheese pizza is made up of 8.1g of salt.
Action on Salt’s survey analysed 290 plant-based curries, pizzas and other dishes offered at 45 restaurant, takeaway, fast food and coffee chains in the UK.
The survey was conducted to highlight to consumers that vegan dishes are not always the healthier option, and that many restaurants take advantage of what Action on Salt calls the “vegan health halo” to trick customers into thinking they are ordering a healthy meal.
Speaking about the results, Action on Salt’s campaign manager Sonia Pombo said: “It is time for restaurants and cafes to step up and start making food that is healthy for us and better for the planet.”
Public Health England introduced salt reduction targets for the UK’s dining out sector in 2017, however these were voluntary guidelines, meaning that restaurants are not forced to lower the salt content of their menus.
In other vegan news, chef Sat Bains is refusing to serve vegan food at his two Michelin-starred restaurant.