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A recent investigation has unveiled that almost 25% of commercially available soups in the UK exceed government-imposed salt limits, raising concerns over public health and dietary choices. Conducted by Action on Salt and Sugar (AoSS), the study analysed 481 ready-to-eat soups from leading UK retailers, revealing that many products contain significantly more salt than recommended.
Shocking Salt Levels in Popular Soups
The findings indicate that 23% of these soups surpass the voluntary salt target of 0.59g per 100g, a benchmark that was expected to be adhered to by the end of 2024. Alarmingly, nearly half (48%) of branded soups tested were found to exceed this threshold, while only 6% of supermarket own-brand soups did the same.
Among the worst offenders, Soup Head’s Tom Yum Soup was highlighted as the saltiest, with a staggering 1.01g of salt per 100g. A typical 300g serving contains 3.03g of salt, exceeding the daily recommended maximum for adults. This amount is comparable to consuming more than two cheeseburgers from McDonald’s.
Misleading Serving Sizes Complicate Salt Awareness
The AoSS has raised concerns about how serving sizes are communicated on packaging, suggesting that many brands present serving sizes that downplay actual salt consumption. For instance, a serving size of 200g is often suggested, but most consumers are likely to consume more in one sitting.
High-sodium examples also include Daylesford Organic Minestrone Soup, which has 1g of salt per 100g, and Baxters Luxury Cullen Skink at 0.95g per 100g. Front-of-pack labelling guidelines indicate that 16% of soups would receive a red warning for high salt content, while a mere 2% would achieve a green label, indicating healthier options.
Industry Responses and Future Actions
Sonia Pombo, head of impact and research at AoSS, expressed disappointment over the continued non-compliance with salt targets, urging the government to take stronger action. “Soup is often marketed as a healthy, everyday choice, but our findings show it can be a major source of hidden salt,” Pombo noted. She emphasised the need for renewed efforts to drive reformulation in the food industry to ensure healthier options become the norm.
In response, major retailers have defended their products. Asda highlighted that all its branded soups are classified as healthy under their nutrient profiling model. Heinz announced ongoing efforts to reduce salt levels in its soups since the 1980s, showcasing their new No Added Sugar Cream of Tomato Soup, which contains 25% less salt than its classic counterpart.
Daylesford, meanwhile, stated that the salt content of their Minestrone Soup was misreported due to a packaging error, confirming that the actual level is 0.67g per 100g. Corrected packaging is already in production.
The Retail Perspective
Andrea Martinez Inchausti from the British Retail Consortium reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to improving public health through product reformulation. She noted the importance of balancing salt reduction with maintaining the taste and quality consumers expect. Clear labelling is also vital to ensure consumers are informed about the salt content of the products they purchase.
Why it Matters
As consumers increasingly seek healthier food options, this study underscores the pressing need for transparency and accountability in food production. With nearly one in four soups exceeding salt limits, individuals may be unknowingly jeopardising their health with choices perceived as nutritious. The findings compel both government and industry stakeholders to prioritise public health initiatives and ensure that consumers have access to genuinely healthier food alternatives.
