Shocking content of nation's favourite takeaways

5 September 2011

A study into two of the nation's favourite takeaways has revealed shocking levels of fat, salt, sugar and colourings along with bogus meat and potentially lethal nuts.

Council analysis of Indian takeaways found one portion of chicken tikka masala and pilau rice contained 116 per cent of a person's Guideline Daily Amount of saturated fat and 92 per cent of salt. A similar investigation into Chinese takeaways discovered sweet and sour chicken with fried rice contained 119 per cent GDA of salt and 16 teaspoons of sugar, 75 per cent GDA.

The Local Government Group study, which analysed food from 223 takeaways across England and Wales, also found illegally high levels of certain colourings which the Food Standards Agency has called for a voluntary ban on because of their negative affects on children. Were these pre-packaged meals they would have to carry a health warning advising consumers that they contained these colourings, regardless of amount.

Particularly worrying was that in some of the tikka masala test buys it was stressed that the customer had a nut allergy. Despite this, one in five of these takeaways contained peanuts or almonds. Just a small amount of nuts can be fatal for someone with a severe allergy.

On two occasions the meat found in sweet and sour chicken meals was in fact turkey.

Averages from 90 Indian takeaways

ComponentChicken tikka masalaPilau riceTotal GDA GDA %

Total fat (g)53.36.746070 86
Saturates (g)19.43.823.220 116
Salt (g)4.41.125.526 92
Sugars (g)35.20.9436.190 40
Calories per meal (K Cal) 14052,500 (men) / 2,000 (women)56 / 70

Averages from 133 Chinese takeaways

ComponentSweet and sour chicken Cantonese / Hong Kong styleFried riceTotal GDA GDA %

Total fat (g)30.81444.87064
Saturates (g)2.182.187.582038
Salt (g)3.423.77.12 6119
Sugars (g)66.71.0167.79075
Calories per meal (K Cal) 8302,500 (men) / 2,000 (women)33 / 41

Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of the LG Regulation Board, said:

“The family takeaway is like a tradition in homes across the country, be it celebrating the end of a working week or settling down for Saturday night television. Everyone knows they often aren't especially healthy and should be enjoyed in moderation, but that just one meal can contain so much fat, salt and sugar is truly shocking and unnecessary.

“There's no excuse for illegal amounts of colouring and as for secretly using a cheaper type of meat, that's just shamefully ripping off customers. And including nuts when you've been told a person suffers from a nut allergy is unforgivable, it could potentially kill them.

“There are many ways to make takeaways more healthy such as using lower fat oils, natural colourings and reducing salt. These needn't compromise taste and promoting such a healthy approach often attracts customers who're keen to watch their waistline or their blood pressure.

“Both adult and child obesity is on the rise in Britain along with conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure. As a society we all need to play a part in reversing this trend. Councils are on the side of consumers who want to be sure that their takeaways are at the very least safe to eat and a true reflection of what's on the menu. Research like this helps people make informed decisions about the food they eat and will hopefully inspire takeaways to follow the lead taken in other parts of the food industry and make their product more healthy.”

Notes:

For a copy of the report, visit - http://www.local.gov.uk/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=fa05a503-7bc1-4603-947a-17795b1088f4&groupId=10727

GDAs are a guide to how many calories and nutrients such as salt, fat and sugar, people can consume each day for a healthy, balanced diet.

In the UK about ten people die every year from an allergic reaction to food and many more end up in hospital. In most cases the food is from a restaurant or takeaway.

Eating too much salt raises blood pressure which makes people more likely to suffer from heart disease and strokes. People in Britain consume an average of 8.6 grams of salt each day, 2.6 grams more than the recommended amount for an adult. Reducing the average intake down to the recommended daily amount could prevent 17,500 deaths each year.

Certain artificial colours can have a detrimental effect on children's behaviour and can result in hyperactivity. The colourings tested for in this study were Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow, Ponceau 4R and Allura Red, all of which the FSA has called for a voluntary ban on.

A recent survey in Worcester found 35 per cent of respondents had a takeaway once a week, with 25 per cent having one twice a week.

Participation by local authorities in such food standards sampling surveys is voluntary. Councils will consider the resource implications, national context, local priorities and risk when deciding to take part. The sampling is undertaken in parallel with the local authority food standards enforcement function, carried out within the trading standards or environmental health remit within county councils and unitary authorities. Analysis of sampling is undertaken by public analysts.

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