Popular Ready-Made Soups Contain Dangerous Salt Levels, New Study Reveals
Ready-made soups are frequently promoted as a healthy and convenient meal option for busy individuals seeking a quick lunch or dinner. However, a comprehensive new analysis from health experts might make consumers reconsider their favourite supermarket selections. Researchers at Action on Salt & Sugar, based at Queen Mary University of London, have uncovered alarming salt concentrations in numerous popular soup varieties available across British supermarkets.
Widespread Exceedance of Salt Targets
The research team conducted a detailed examination of more than 480 different soup products sold throughout the United Kingdom. Their findings revealed that nearly one quarter of all analysed soups surpass the government's recommended maximum salt levels. This persistent issue exists despite food manufacturers having been expected to comply with these voluntary targets over a year ago.
'Soup is often marketed as a healthy, everyday choice, but our findings demonstrate it can be a major source of hidden salt,' explained 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 Worst Offenders Revealed
Topping the list of high-salt soups is Soup Head's Tom Yum Soup, which contains a staggering 3.03 grams of salt in a standard 300-gram pack. This equates to 51 percent of an adult's maximum daily salt intake recommended by the NHS—more salt than two McDonald's cheeseburgers combined. When measured per 100 grams, this product contains 1.01 grams of salt.
Other notable offenders include:
- Daylesford Organic's Minestrone Soup (1.0g/100g)
- Cully & Sully Chicken & Vegetable soup (0.8g/100g)
- Baxter's Vegetarian Carrot & Coriander (0.72g/100g)
- Aldi Bramwell's Vegetable soup (0.62g/100g)
- Bistro by Asda Pea & Ham Hock (0.61g/100g)
All these products exceed the government's voluntary maximum salt target for soup, which stands at 0.59 grams per 100 grams.
Health Implications of Excessive Salt Consumption
While salt effectively enhances flavour in processed foods, excessive consumption poses serious health risks. High salt intake directly contributes to elevated blood pressure, which significantly increases the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. The NHS advises adults to consume no more than 6 grams of salt daily, yet many individuals unknowingly exceed this limit through everyday packaged foods.
'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 states on its official website. 'It can also be found in takeaways, restaurant or café meals and fast-food outlets.'
Dr Pauline Swift, Consultant Nephrologist and Chair of Action on Salt & Sugar, emphasised the gravity of the situation: 'High blood pressure is still the UK’s silent killer, and salt is one of the biggest reasons. 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.'
Clear Divisions Between Product Types
The analysis uncovered significant disparities between different soup categories. Fish soups emerged as the saltiest variety overall, followed by Minestrone and Carrot & Coriander flavours. Furthermore, researchers identified a striking contrast between supermarket own-label products and manufacturer brands.
Nearly half (48 percent) of soups produced by major manufacturers exceeded the maximum salt target, compared to just six percent of supermarket own-label products. This suggests that retailer brands are generally performing better in salt reduction efforts.
Lower Salt Alternatives Available
Not all soups presented concerning salt levels. Several products were identified as lower-salt options, including Tesco Finest Petits Pois & Ham with just 0.25 grams of salt per 100 grams. Other relatively low-salt choices included Sainsbury's Cream of Mushroom (0.32g/100g), Asda's Carrot & Coriander (0.42g/100g), and New Covent Garden Vegetable soup (0.39g/100g).
Calls for Government and Industry Action
The researchers stress that this issue is not about individual consumer 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, they are urging both the UK government and food businesses to implement stronger measures to address excessive salt in processed foods.
Recommended actions include mandating clear front-of-pack nutrition labelling, improving nutrient profiling models, and enforcing stricter salt reduction targets. 'Reducing salt is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to bring blood pressure down and prevent heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease,' concluded Dr Swift. 'We need both food businesses and the Government to play their part.'
The study serves as a crucial reminder for consumers to carefully check nutrition labels when purchasing ready-made soups and other processed foods. While convenient options exist, informed choices can help manage daily salt intake and support long-term cardiovascular health.
