The popular dinner that's 'worse for children than McDonald's'
A salt-health awareness group have highlighted a popular family meal ingredient they say is more unhealthy for children than a McDonald's burger.
While pesto pasta might be a favourite for children and adults, new findings published by the UK's Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) have found some food manufacturers have increased the levels of salt in bottled pesto pasta sauces by up to 18 per cent.
Topping the list is the Classic Pesto by Sacla, sold in Australia at both Woolworths and Coles, with more than 1.5 grams of salt per serve.
The report described it as "30 per cent saltier than seawater" and "contains 2.5 times more salt per 100g than salted peanuts".
New findings have found some food manufacturers have increased the levels of salt in bottled pesto pasta sauces by nearly 20 per cent. Photo: Getty
The pesto sauce also has more salt than a McDonald's Hamburger, which contains 1.2 grams.
"A popular choice among parents, pesto is often given to young children – making it an even bigger contribution towards their salt intakes as the maximum daily recommended intake is much lower for children," the report said.
"In the long term, this could increase a child’s risk of developing high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks later in life."
Topping the list is the Classic Pesto by Sacla, sold at both Woolworths and Coles.
The pesto sauce has more salt than a McDonald's Hamburger, which contains 1.2 grams. Photo: Getty
Other pesto pasta sauces that made the list for high salt content were the Sacla Sun Dried-Tomato, Napolina Green Pesto with Basil and Truly Italian Genovese Basil Pesto.
But the study did also provide healthier choices.
These included Aldi's Italian Pesto Genovese with 0.55 grams of salt per portion and Jamie Oliver Green Pesto.
Yahoo7 has contacted Conga Foods, which distributes Sacla in Australia, for comment but no response was received by deadline.
Some of the bottled pesto pasta sauces were sold at Coles and Woolworths. Photo: Getty
