Fast food claims junked

THIS press release issued by Which? magazine is worth sharing:

Some fast food chains are trying to improve their image, but their seemingly healthy options aren't all they're cracked up to be.

Which? tested a range of food from the big four companies - Burger King, KFC, McDonald's and Pizza Hut - and found high levels of fat and salt where least expected.

A KFC Original Chicken Salad contained more salt per portion than a Chicken Fillet Burger and fries. In fact, of all the food Which? tested from KFC and McDonald's, the three with the most salt per portion were salads. Each contained more than 3g of salt per portion - over half the recommended maximum daily intake of 6g.

A McDonald's Crispy Chicken Ranch salad with dressing had 11.1g of saturated fat per portion, more than half the 20g of saturated fat a woman should eat per day.

Customers need accurate information when choosing food, but Which? found that company claims can't always be trusted.

Burger King says, on its Website, that a Whopper and Regular Fries contains 13g of saturated fat but Which? found 199. It also found 6.7g of saturated fat in a Zinger Crunch Salad - almost three times the 2.3g that KFC claimed. KFC said that discrepancies could be due to 'over portioning' at some stores.

Malcolm Coles, editor, Which? says:

"Don't assume that a salad is always a healthy option - you could be getting a large helping of fat and salt on the side. Although fast food companies now offer more choice, it's hard to know what you're really getting.

"Which? wants the industry to give people accurate information on the amount of fat, sugar and salt in foods. This must be prominently displayed so customers can see it before they order."

Which? bought the food referred to above in July and August and had it tested by an independent, accredited laboratory. All food was tested as sold to Which? Salads were tested with whatever dressing the company supplied.

In the Which? article (www.which.co.uk) nutritional levels are shown per 100g. Test results per portion are also available.