Ready–made soups are often seen as a healthy option for people looking for a quick and convenient meal.
But a new analysis might make you think twice before reaching for your favourite.
Experts at Action on Salt & Sugar, based at Queen Mary University of London, have revealed the popular soups that contain dangerous amounts of salt.
The team analysed more than 480 varieties sold in supermarkets across the UK – and found that nearly a quarter exceed recommended levels.
Topping the list is Soup Head’s Tom Yum Soup, which contains a whopping 3.03g of salt in a 300g pack.
To put that into perspective, that’s 51 per cent of an adult’s maximum daily salt limit – and more salt than two McDonald’s cheeseburgers!
‘Soup is often marketed as a healthy, everyday choice, but our findings show it can be a major source of hidden salt,’ said Sonia Pombo, Head of Impact and Research at Action on Salt & Sugar.
‘Nearly one in four soups are still exceeding the maximum salt target, despite food businesses being expected to meet it more than a year ago.’
The team analysed more than 480 varieties sold in supermarkets across the UK – and found that nearly a quarter exceed recommended levels. Topping the list is Soup Head’s Tom Yum Soup, which contains a whopping 3.03g of salt in a 300g pack
Experts at Action on Salt & Sugar, based at Queen MaryUniversity of London, have revealed the popular soups that contain dangerous amounts of salt. Fish soups were the most salty, ahead of Minestrone, and Carrot & Coriander.
While salt is brilliant for boosting flavours, too much can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The NHS recommends adults have no more than 6g of salt per day, yet many people unknowingly exceed this.
‘Around three quarters of the salt we eat comes from packaged and everyday foods we buy, such as bread, breakfast cereals, meat products and ready meals,’ the NHS explains on its website.
‘It can also be found in takeaways, restaurant or café meals and fast–food outlets.’
In the new analysis, the team set out to analyse the salt levels in popular soups.
The researchers collected data on 481 varieties, and compared how the salt levels the stack up against the Government’s voluntary maximum salt target for soup, which is 0.59g/100g.
While Action on Salt & Sugar declined giving the Daily Mail the full results, they have highlighted some of the worst offenders.
Daylesford Organic’s Minestrone Soup was found to contain 1.0g of salt per 100g, while Baxter’s Luxury Cullen Skin contains 0.95g/100g.
Cully & Sully Chicken & Vegetable soup came in at 0.8g/100g, ahead of Baxter’s Vegetarian Carrot & Coriander (0.72g/100g)
While salt is brilliant for boosting flavours, too much can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes
Cully & Sully Chicken & Vegetable soup came in at 0.8g/100g, ahead of Baxter’s Vegetarian Carrot & Coriander (0.72g/100g).
In contrast, Tesco Finest Petits Pois & Ham was found to be one of the least salty options, with just 0.25g of salt per 100g.
Other low-salt options included Sainsbury’s Cream of Mushroom (0.32g/100g), Asda’s Carrot & Coriander (0.42g/100g), and New Covent Garden Vegetable (0.39g/100g).
The analysis also revealed a clear divide between supermarket own-label and big brands, and between different flavours according to the researchers.
Nearly half (48 per cent) of soups produced by manufacturers were found to exceed the maximum salt target, compared with just six per cent of supermarket own-label products.
Meanwhile, fish soups were the most salty, ahead of Minestrone, and Carrot & Coriander.
‘High blood pressure is still the UK’s silent killer, and salt is one of the biggest reasons,’ said Dr Pauline Swift, Consultant Nephrologist and Chair of Action on Salt & Sugar.
‘When a “simple” lunch like soup can contain a huge chunk of your daily limit, it’s no surprise so many people are walking around with blood pressure that’s too high.’
Before you start to feel guilty, the researchers reassure that this is ‘not about individual blame’.
‘The public cannot “choose their way out” of this problem when salt is added long before the food reaches our table,’ Dr Swift added.
Instead, the researchers are calling on the UK government to impliment stronger measures – whether that’s mandating front-of-pack labelling, or improving nutrient profiling models.
Dr Swift concluded: ‘Reducing salt is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to bring blood pressure down and prevent heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease, and we need both food businesses and the Government to play their part.’
WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?
Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to the NHS
• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count
• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain
• 30 grams of fibre a day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat cereal biscuits, 2 thick slices of wholemeal bread and large baked potato with the skin on
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) choosing lower fat and lower sugar options
• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming in small amounts
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men a day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide
