Almost nine out of ten bags of ready-to-eat popcorn are so unsafe for health that they will breach new advertising rules, a study suggests.
Researchers have found that Britons are consuming foods that are “endlessly” covered in sugar or salt, such as nuts, crisps and corn. In many cases, these levels are so “excessive” that their manufacturers will be banned from advertising on TV before 9pm and online at any time when new laws come into force in October.
This policy aims to reduce children's exposure to foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar, amid high levels of obesity.
Campaign group Action on Salt and Sugar, based at Queen Mary University of London, examined more than 1,200 crisps, nuts and popcorn products for their latest study.
They found that 77 percent of crisps, 56 percent of nuts and 88 percent of popcorn will receive a "less healthy" rating under government rules, restricting how they can be advertised.
The researchers noted that high salt intake increases blood pressure, which is a leading cause of stroke and heart disease. Similarly, excessive sugar intake can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Despite often being considered a healthier food, more than a quarter (27 percent) of all ready-to-eat popcorn products exceed maximum salt limits set by the government – with more than one in three being saltier than a bag of cheese and onion chips.
Meanwhile, 42 per cent of popcorns researched would also receive a red traffic light warning label for total sugar, with Morrisons Market Street Toffee Flavour popcorn containing 59.1g of sugar per 100g. This is equivalent to more than seven teaspoons per serving and well over a child's maximum daily limit, GazetaExpress reports the study conducted.
Some crisps also continue to contribute to excessive salt levels in the British diet, with one in three products requiring a red warning label for salt on the front of the pack. Among the worst offenders is Eat Real Lentil Chips Chilli & Lemon, which contain 3.6g of salt per 100g – a level that is saltier than the concentration of seawater and exceeds the government's target for salt.
Dried nuts are naturally low in salt, but many flavored varieties fall short of the healthiest standards. Almost a quarter of flavored nuts exceed salt limits, with Boundless Sweet Chilli Nuts & Seeds Boost containing 3.24g of salt per 100g – more than double the government-set salt limit.
Total sugar levels are "equally concerning", the researchers note, with packets of Whitworths Shots Chocolate & Hazelnut containing 51g of total sugar per 100g, meaning a 25g portion contains over three teaspoons of sugar.
They emphasize that nuts, potatoes, and corn are natural products that do not need to have added sugar and salt, and highlight products where manufacturers have created delicious varieties that comply with regulations.
They are now demanding that firms change the formulas of their products to make them healthier for consumers and that the government implement mandatory standards.
Sonia Pombo, head of impact and research at Action on Salt, said: “It is clear that voluntary efforts to improve food and nutrition have largely failed. But this is not a problem of opportunity, as some companies have shown that change is possible. It is time for the government to get tougher on companies and implement binding targets with strong enforcement. Without this, the UK’s hidden salt and sugar crisis will continue, putting consumers at risk and leaving responsible brands in an uncertain market.”
Action on Salt and Sugar said only eight companies fully met the salt target set for these snacks, with four others achieving at least 95 percent compliance. Nine companies failed to meet the targets on at least half of their snack portfolio.
Dr Pauline Swift, chair of Blood Pressure UK, said: “Reducing salt is not just a health recommendation – it is a life-saving necessity. Too much salt, often hidden in everyday foods, raises blood pressure, which is a major cause of stroke, heart disease and kidney disease – all of which are entirely avoidable. Without urgent action to reduce salt and sugar levels, we are playing with lives.”
Kate Howard, campaign coordinator for Recipe for Change, said: “Food companies are continuing to damage our health with the products they put on their shelves. The range of sugar and salt in the snacks examined here shows that there is plenty of scope to reduce these ingredients, but while some companies are doing better, most have no incentive to improve their products. The public does not trust companies to produce healthier foods without government regulation, and now they are being proven right.”
A spokesman for the Food and Drink Federation, a trade body, said: "Food and drink manufacturers take the issue of poor diets very seriously and know they have a key role to play in helping people in the UK improve their diets." /Express newspaper/
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