Salt in Fast Food Products and Ready-to-Eat Sauces: Should it Be a Matter of Concern for Public Health?

Salt intake is an important public health issue in the contemporary world, since salt overconsumption is a major risk factor for high blood pressure. Some of the important sources of salt are fast food products, generally over salted in order to be desirable for the consumer. In the present study we evaluated salt levels in some very popular fast food dishes in Romania, in 2011. Local public health authorities gathered randomly 5 samples per product (shaorma, burger, pizza) in their county. Samples of sauces were also gathered, as important components of fast food dishes (mayonnaise, ketchup, other). Salt levels were measured in local laboratories. Data was collected by the National Institute of Public Health. Results showed considerable differences between samples, with minimal values under 1 % salt and maximal values of 1.9% (burgers, Arad; pizza, Olt). Differences were present not only in on-spot produced dishes, but also in ready-to-eat sauces, where some producers use very high quantities of salt. The average values of salt concentrations were: 1.5% for pizza, 1.33 % for shaorma, burgers and mayonnaise, 1.87% for ketchup and 1.4% for other sauces. Figures found are over the average values for home-made dishes, so efforts need to be made to determine fast food business operators to add less salt and to enhance taste by substituting it with other seasonings like herbs and spices. Food reformulation initiatives, although very difficult to implement in the gastronomy/ fast food sector, may achieve significant results in tackling salt intake via fast food products and ready-to-eat sauces and dressings.