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 experts 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.
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 experts 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.
Consumers are urged 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.
