Nearly One Quarter of Shop-Bought Soups Fail to Meet Government Salt Reduction Targets
A comprehensive new study has revealed that almost one in four shop-bought soups available in UK retailers exceed the Government's voluntary maximum salt targets. The research, conducted by the campaign group Action on Salt and Sugar (AoSS), analysed 481 ready-to-eat soups sold across major supermarkets and found concerning levels of non-compliance with nutritional guidelines.
Significant Disparity Between Branded and Own-Label Products
The investigation uncovered a stark contrast between branded and supermarket own-label alternatives. While just 6% of supermarket own-label soups exceeded the maximum salt target, a substantial 48% of branded products failed to meet the same standard. This suggests that major food manufacturers are lagging significantly behind retailers in reformulating their products to be healthier.
The Government's voluntary maximum salt target of 0.59g per 100g should have been met by the end of 2024, yet the study found that 23% of all soups analysed still exceed this limit more than a year later. This represents a significant public health concern given that soup is often marketed as a healthy, everyday meal choice.
Concerning Examples of High Salt Content
Among the saltiest products identified was Soup Head Tom Yum Soup, containing 1.01g of salt per 100g or 3.03g in a 300g pack. This represents more than half of an adult's maximum daily limit of 6g and exceeds the salt content of 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 notable examples included Daylesford Organic Minestrone Soup (1g per 100g) and Baxters Luxury Cullen Skink (0.95g per 100g). However, Daylesford later clarified that the salt content figure cited in the report was based on a packaging misprint, with laboratory analysis confirming the actual salt content is 0.67g per 100g - 33% lower than reported. The company stated that corrected packaging is already in production.
Misleading Serving Sizes and Labelling Concerns
AoSS raised significant concerns about suggested serving sizes on packaging potentially understating actual salt intake. Many brands list a serving as 200g (half a tin), despite consumers being likely to eat more in a single meal. Across the entire range analysed, the average serving offered 1.43g of salt, while 51 products (11%) contained more than 2g in a single suggested serving - more than a third of an adult's maximum daily limit.
Under front-of-pack labelling guidelines, the study found that one in six soups (16%) would receive a red warning for high salt content, while just 11 products (2%) would achieve a green label. This highlights the challenge consumers face in identifying healthier options at the point of purchase.
Industry and Campaign Group Responses
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 added: "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."
Retailers and manufacturers responded to the findings with varying perspectives. Asda highlighted their commitment to healthy sales targets, noting that "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."
Heinz emphasized their long-term commitment to salt reduction, stating: "We've been reducing the amount of salt in our products since the mid-1980s and are proud to offer a wide variety of soups that cater to different dietary needs. This includes the introduction of our Heinz No Added Sugar Cream of Tomato Soup which contains 25% less salt than our classic recipe. Reducing sodium without compromising on taste and quality is a complex process and there's still work to be done."
The British Retail Consortium's assistant director of food, Andrea Martinez Inchausti, commented: "The retail industry is fully committed to helping improve the health of their customers with the report showing that retailers are leading the way on product reformulation. It is, of course, important to strike a balance between diminishing salt levels while also retaining the quality and taste which consumers expect. The clear labelling packaging ensures that consumers are fully aware of the salt content in the products they buy."
Public Health Implications
The findings have significant implications for public health, particularly given the established link between high salt intake and increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. With many consumers viewing soup as a convenient and healthy meal option, the presence of hidden salt in these products represents a substantial challenge to dietary improvement efforts.
The study highlights the ongoing tension between voluntary industry targets and actual compliance, raising questions about whether stronger regulatory measures might be necessary to accelerate progress in salt reduction across the food industry. As consumers become increasingly health-conscious, pressure is mounting on both manufacturers and retailers to deliver products that support rather than undermine public health objectives.
