HIGH levels of salt added to a bag of chips could be pushing consumers over the recommended limits and endangering their health, research shows.
Adults are advised to eat no more than 6g of salt a day, with lower limits for children.
But a study of chip shops by Falkirk Council found that the amount of salt added to a portion of chips could be more than people would expect.
Health exper
ts warned consumers to be aware of the amount of salt added to their food, as well as that used in ready-made products.
Falkirk Council bought samples from 25 chip shops as part of Salt Awareness Week.
The average amount of salt in a portion across all the shops was 1.62g – 27 per cent of the recommended daily intake.
The lowest recorded salt level was 0.81g, but in one shop 3.12g of salt were found in the chips – more than half the daily recommended limit.
Charles MacDonald, convener of community health and safety at the council, said: "The survey showed how easily our intake levels are reached by a simple bag of chips. Add in other meals and snacks throughout the day and levels are soon exceeded."
The figures are even more worrying if children are consuming chips. Under-threes should be limited to less than 2g, those aged four to six no more than 3g and seven to ten-year-olds 5g.
Mr MacDonald said: "We are urging consumers to ask for less salt when buying chips and to look carefully at food labelling to get a clear idea of what their daily salt intake actually is."
The council is now writing to the businesses in the survey to give guidance on recommended salt levels.
Campaign group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) has long warned of salt concealed in food. Too much salt increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Wendy Jarrett, from CASH, said: "It is important that people consider both the salt already in food and the amount they add.
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