Takeout Menus Mislead on Salt Content: Study Finds 47% of Labeled Dishes Exceed Declared Levels

A single takeout pasta meal can contain nearly twice the UK's recommended daily salt intake—yet menu labels often obscure the true numbers.

Researchers analyzed 39 takeout meals from 23 outlets in Reading and found that 47% exceeded declared salt levels.

Pasta dishes averaged 7.2g of salt per serving, surpassing the UK's 6g daily recommendation. One pasta dish contained 11.2g of salt, while curry salt levels ranged from 2.3g to 9.4g per dish.

Fish and chip shop chips had 0.2g of salt per serving, compared to 1g at other outlets.

Professor Gunter Kuhnle said:

"We conducted this research because we suspected that many menu labels were inaccurate on salt... The public needs to be aware that menu labels are rough guides at best, not accurate measures."

The study was published in PLOS One (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0339339).

⚠️ LEGAL DISCLAIMER: It is for informational purposes only. It never substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor regarding any questions about your health.