A comprehensive new investigation has uncovered alarming levels of 'hidden salt' in popular shop-bought soups, with nearly one in four products exceeding voluntary government targets. The study, conducted by Action on Salt and Sugar (AoSS), analysed 481 ready-to-eat soups across major UK retailers and found concerning discrepancies between branded and supermarket own-label alternatives.
Stark Contrast Between Branded and Own-Label Products
The research revealed that 48 per cent of branded soups surpassed the maximum salt target, a stark contrast to just 6 per cent of supermarket own-label alternatives. Overall, 23 per cent of all soups analysed still fail to meet the Government's voluntary maximum salt target of 0.59g per 100g, which was due to be met by the end of 2024.
The Saltiest Offenders Identified
The saltiest product identified was Soup Head Tom Yum Soup, containing 1.01g of salt per 100g or 3.03g in a 300g pack – an amount comparable to more than two McDonald's cheeseburgers. A spokesman for Tom Yum Soup responded that the brand "always continue to look at ways to better our products for the consumer, and absolutely salt is very, very high on that list of priorities, especially with this flavour."
Other high-salt examples included Daylesford Organic Minestrone Soup (1g per 100g) and Baxters Luxury Cullen Skink (0.95g per 100g). Across the entire range analysed, the average serving offered 1.43g of salt, while 51 products (11 per cent) packed more than 2g in a single suggested serving – more than a third of an adult's maximum daily limit of 6g.
Misleading Serving Sizes and Labelling Concerns
AoSS warned that suggested serving sizes on packs could significantly understate actual salt intake, with many brands listing a serving as 200g (half a tin), even though consumers were likely to eat more in a single meal. Under front-of-pack labelling guidelines, one in six soups (16 per cent) would receive a red warning for high salt content, while just 11 products (2 per cent) would achieve a green label.
Expert Calls for Government Action
Sonia Pombo, head of impact and research at Action on Salt and Sugar, expressed disappointment at the findings: "Soup is often marketed as a healthy, everyday choice, but our findings show it can be a major source of hidden salt. Nearly one in four soups are still exceeding the maximum salt target, despite food businesses being expected to meet it more than a year ago. A full 12 months on, that level of non-compliance is disappointing and difficult to justify."
Pombo continued with a call to action: "The UK used to be a world leader on salt reduction, but progress has stalled. Government must get back on the front foot with stronger incentives to drive reformulation, and proper accountability, so the healthier option becomes the default, not the exception."
Retailer Responses and Industry Position
Asda responded to the findings by highlighting their commitment to healthier options: "We are really proud to have set a healthy sales target based on the nutrient profiling model – as observed in the data, all Asda branded soups surveyed in this report are healthy under this classification. Reformulation and new product development are a key part of us driving this target and salt content is a key consideration in our decision making when it comes to product formulation."
The study's comprehensive analysis of 481 products across major UK retailers provides compelling evidence that despite voluntary targets and public health initiatives, significant progress remains to be made in reducing hidden salt in everyday food products. With soup often perceived as a healthy choice, the findings highlight the importance of consumer awareness and stronger regulatory frameworks to protect public health.
