CHOICE report reveals hidden salt in children's snacks

HIGH salt levels have been found in breakfast cereals, lunchbox snacks and many other foods aimed at children.

table salt

HIGH salt levels have been found in breakfast cereals, lunchbox snacks and many other foods aimed at children.

An investigation into more than 240 child-friendly packaged foods sold by supermarkets discovered more than a quarter contained a higher proportion of salt than a packet of potato chips.

The findings have led to calls for manufacturers to speed up reduction in salt and sugar levels, particularly in children's food, or face government intervention.

Among the offenders cited in the report by consumer organisation CHOICE were cheese spreads including Kraft Cheese Snackabouts and Uncle Toby's Le Snak, Maggi 2 Minute Noodles and Woolworths new Mini Macro range for children.

Medium salt levels were also found in 80 per cent of the sweet snacks analysed.

A lunch-box size pack of Tiny Teddy biscuits, for instance, has almost as much salt as a lunch-box pack of Smiths Original Chips.

The CHOICE survey, using information collected by The George Institute for Global Health, analysed products that were packaged with child-friendly cartoon and movie characters, as well as products commonly consumed by youngsters.

CHOICE food policy adviser Angela McDougall said the organisation wanted to highlight the hidden salt in products that parents might think were suitable for their children.

These included breakfast cereals, biscuits and foods that were promoted as healthy.

"Woolworths has launched a kids range and even though many of the products are in the health food aisle, some have more salt than the adult alternative,'' she said.

"These organic products are marketed as a good choice for hungry little mouths yet many do not deserve this healthy halo.''

Ms McDougall said CHOICE wanted clearer, front-of-pack labelling on packaged foods showing sodium, sugar and saturated fat levels and quicker action from the manufacturers.

"We know from the experts that kids need a lot less salt than adults,'' she said.

"And you are ingraining children with a taste for salt that will be with them for life.

The manufacturers need to step up. They can't have the same excuses with kids foods as adult foods. It's not good enough. Unless we see some commitments then perhaps we need to look at legislative intervention.''

CHOICE's stance was supported by Professor Bruce Neal, from The George Institute.

"We're not trying to take all salt out of every food,'' he said. "But some of these products have incredibly high levels of sodium. Look at the sodium in Uncle Toby's Le Snak ... that is like seawater. There is no reason that product has to be that salty.''

Dr Manny Noakes, senior research scientist, nutritionist and author of the best-selling CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, said consumers needed to lead the push for changes in food formulation.

"The consumer is very aware and concerned about issues like additives for which we don't have much evidence to support any real negative effects, but less concerned about the level of sodium in foods,'' she said.

She said manufacturers needed to make gradual adjustments or consumers would no longer buy their products.

"The exception is children's food where there is a great deal more urgency because that exposure is likely to drive a palate for saltier foods as they grow into adults.''