Why sausages are a ‘huge concern’ to health experts
Australia's love affair with the sausage is well known.
We love a "democracy sausage" on polling day, a snag at summer barbeques, and a sausage with plenty of onion after a trip to Bunnings.
Australians eat a staggering 1.1 billion bangers every year - but there's a snag.
Health authorities say most sausages are loaded with salt.
Have more than one and your salt intake goes through the roof.
"We know Australians are actually eating an enormous amount of sausages, far too much for good health," Jen Reimers from Victoria Health Department says.
This week is World Salt Awareness Week, and there's a push for parents to be more mindful when making purchases for the family dinner.
Cheaper supermarket selections can often have three times the amount of salt compared to the more gourmet varieties.
"Have a think about how often you're having sausages and try to have them less often," Sam Armstrong from The Heart Foundation says.
"Look at the labels and try and pick one that's got less salt."
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Health authorities suggest making a few simple tweaks to your barbeque - adding more vegetables and replacing sausages with chicken can make a big difference.
It's also advised to buy from your local butcher.
"If you buy good quality product from a good quality butcher you're not going to have too much salt in it, it's the cheaper versions that are going to be the problem," Barry House from Kirkpatrick Meats says.
The salt levels in sausages are bad enough - add white bread and tomato sauce and that's when things get really concerning, health experts warn.
"You only have to have one snag in bread and tomato sauce and you've pretty much gone over half your maximum daily intake," Jen Reimers says.
That's definitely something to consider at the next backyard barbie.
