Health group gets stuck into pie and mash

A pressure group concerned about the dangers of excessive salt intake has launched an offensive against pie and mash.

Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) carried out research into the salt levels of 526 pie, mash and gravy meals available in the UK from large pub chains, supermarkets, takeaways and cafes.

According to the survey, the saltiest pub pie and mash was being sold by national chain, J D Wetherspoon. Its chicken and mushroom pie, served with mash, gravy and peas, was found to contain 7.5 grams of salt – the equivalent of 15 bags of crisps.

The saltiest pie available from a supermarket was found on sale at Waitrose. The company's Steak, Mushroom & Red Wine Pie contained 2.69g of salt per 270g portion.

The maximum recommended daily amount of salt that should be consumed by adults is 6 grams. CASH said all of the pub meals it tested contained at least half this amount, while five meals contained more than the maximum recommended daily amount. It is now calling on consumers to think more carefully about healthy eating habits.  

Katharine Jenner, nutritionist and CASH’s campaign director, said: "Men need to reduce the salt in their diets but, although few would think of pie and mash as a healthy meal, many do not realise they could be exceeding their daily maximum of 6 grams salt in just one meal.

"Just a few simple changes such as reading the labels in supermarkets or skipping the gravy in pub meals could help you stay within the healthy recommendations."