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Fast Food Contains Twice As Much Salt In US

The Huffington Post UK  |  By Posted: 17/04/2012 12:02 Updated: 17/04/2012 12:29

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You might think a McDonald’s meal would have the same nutritional content the world over - but American fast food is super salty, says new research.

According to findings published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the exact levels of salt in Burger King, KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza and Subway snacks vary based on the country you live in.

A study of food from Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, the UK and the US, found that US McNuggets have twice as much salt as their European versions, according to the Daily Mail.

Overall, dishes from the six chains generally contained more salt than the same menu items in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Scientific American reported: “A Big Mac, for example, has 2.6 grams of salt in the U.S. versus 2.1 grams in the U.K. Chicken nuggets have an even wider disparity: a serving of about six nuggets contains 1.5 grams of salt in the U.S. and less than half of that in the U.K. (0.6 g)."

According to Katharine Jenner, campaign director for World Action On Salt And Health, and co-author of the report, the survey demonstrates "a great success story" for UK public health - but adds there is still more to done.

Reducing salt in your diet substantially reduce blood pressure and risk of heart attacks and strokes, she explains. But voluntary targets agreed between manufacturers and government to reduce salt in their food by the end of 2012 are unlikely to be met.

"Despite Andrew Lansley's lacklustre efforts to coerce the fast food giants into offering healthier food via the government’s Responsibility Deal, only Subway has pledged to reduce their salt levels in dishes. We want ALL fast food companies, including McDonalds. Burger King and Pizza Hut to take responsibility for their customers' health and to stop putting so much salt in our food,” says Jenner.

“A gradual reduction in salt can easily be done across all countries and would save millions of lives, but the global food brands still seem reluctant to provide their healthiest products to everybody.”

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You might think a McDonald’s meal would have the same nutritional content the world over - but American fast food is super salty, says new research. According to findings published in the Canad...
You might think a McDonald’s meal would have the same nutritional content the world over - but American fast food is super salty, says new research. According to findings published in the Canad...
 
 
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Barbara Longstaff
106 Fans
03:33 PM on 04/18/2012
I must admit I love salt on my Fish and Chips - they do not taste the same without Salt and Vinegar. I only put salt in my cooking and do not use any more when the food is dished up. Very very rarely do I eat a McDonalds as I make and cook my own burgers. Too much salt is dangerous butr then excess of many products are dangerous, eat in moderation.
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Russ Nutter
53 Fans
04:56 PM on 04/17/2012
The Americans ,who'd have thought it ,well that is a suprise
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anessalynne
2 Fans
02:39 PM on 04/17/2012
I had mcnuggets just last night and was like these taste less salty than the ones in America, and it's not needed, they taste about the same. I hate how America has so much salt and sugar and who knows what in all the food. I know England doesn't have the best food but when I'm here I feel so much better, and I think it's because the food has so many fewer preservatives and fats and sugars and salts.
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brinberlin
176 Fans
09:59 AM on 04/18/2012
Good start, but you'd do better to avoid these revolting kinds of food altogether. The worst treated chickens, processed in the worst possible way, full of bad fats from the coatings... yuck!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
buster1949
16 Fans
01:16 PM on 04/17/2012
A little bit of what you fancy does you good, how ever moderation in all things
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