Meat-free burgers and sausages can contain TWICE as much salt as a large portion of McDonald's fries: Experts fear 'healthy' substitutes may not be as good for you as you think

  • A large portion of McDonald's fries contains 1g of salt per portion
  • A Quorn Quarter Pounder and Move Over Meat 2 Meat Free Revolution Burger, which are both meat-free burgers, have 1.8g of salt per patty
  • The Nuffield Council said fashionable vegan swaps need more research
  • They may not be as healthy as they are marketed, the independent body said

Popular meat-free burgers, sausages and bacon sold in British supermarkets can contain high amounts of salt, experts have warned.

Some products, including quarter pounders made by Quorn, have almost twice as much salt as a large portion of McDonald's fries.

An independent body has now called for more research into the dangers of eating the meat substitutes, which can also be high in fat and calories. 

Marketing of meat alternatives as 'clean' or 'green' may cause consumers to overlook potential health risks, according to The Nuffield Council on Bioethics.

It urged consumers to avoid processed foods at all costs, and stick to fruits, veg, and canned pulses and beans if they want to go meat-free for 'Veganuary'. 

A Quorn Quarter Pounder has 1.8g of salt per patty
A Move Over Meat Meat Free Revolution Burger also has 1.8g of salt

A Quorn Quarter Pounder and a Move Over Meat Meat Free Revolution Burger have double the salt of a large portion of McDonald's fries. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics, an independent body, has called for more research into meat-free alternatives 

A Quorn Quarter Pounder and a Move Over Meat Meat Free Revolution Burger contain 1.8g of salt per patty.

In comparison, a large portion of McDonald's fries, notorious for being salty, contains 1g of salt per portion. 

Both plant-based burgers also have double the salt of a standard Tesco British Beef Quarter Pounder, which has 0.8g of salt per portion. 

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics, which advises policy makers on ethical issues in bioscience and medicine, made the warning in a briefing.

It admitted the meat-free products can contain more fibre and less cholesterol – but said they can be full of fat and calories. 

Talking about two products, one of which was the Beyond Burger, the body said they were 'highly processed'.

It added that they 'contain similar levels of calories and saturated fat as beef burgers, and have much higher levels of sodium and iron'. 

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics said: 'Terms used by manufacturers to describe meat alternatives that promote their environmental and animal welfare benefits, such as "clean", "green" and "slaughter-free", might mean people overlook the health implications of these products.

'However, there are questions around whether it is appropriate or fair to hold meat alternatives to higher standards of healthiness than conventional meat, given their potential positive environmental and animal welfare profiles, and how moral trade-offs of this kind could be addressed.'

The body said evidence suggests people are not buying meat alternatives to entirely replace animal products, becoming 'flexitarian' rather than completely meat-free.

Linda McCartney Vegetarian Pulled Pork  Burger contains 1.7g of salt per portion

Linda McCartney Vegetarian Pulled Pork  Burger contains 1.7g of salt per portion

While many consumers think they are making a positive change, it's likely they are just increasing their overall processed food consumption.

The briefing said: 'There is the possibility that the availability of meat alternatives might increase people's overall consumption of meat and meat-like products, which could have health implications.

'It is unclear how this outcome would be managed or controlled to prevent an exacerbation of the challenges of meat production and consumption.'

The new plant-based Rebel Whopper sold by Burger King in the UK comes in at 596 calories, which is only 31 less than a standard Whopper. At the same time, the total fat is virtually identical at 33g compared to 34g, while the veggie option has more salt.

While the products are potentially more sustainable, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics is calling for more research into the long-term health implications of plant-based meat alternatives. 

Hugh Whittall, director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, said: 'It might be that people aren't worried if these products aren't any healthier than meat, if they are eating them as part of a balanced diet.

'But we need transparency and accuracy in marketing and labelling so that people are not misled or confused.

HOW DO MEAT-FREE ALTERNATIVES COMPARE WITH MCDONALD'S LARGE FRIES? 
Product Salt per 100g Salt per portion
McDonald's large fries 0.69g 1g
Quorn Quarter Pounders 1.8g 1.8g
Move Over Meat Meat Free Revolution Burgers 1.61g 1.82g
Linda McCartney Vegetarian Pulled Pork 1/4lb Burger 1.8g 1.7g
Quorn Best Of British Sausages 1.9g 1.1g
VBites Cheatin Rashers 1.8g N/A
Amy's Kitchen Gluten Free Manhattan Veggie Burger Frozen 1.4g 1g
Beyond Burger 1.1g 1g
The Vegetarian Butcher Chickened Out Burger 1.2g 0.93g
Tesco Meat Free Bacon Style Rashers 3.2g 0.9g
Tofurky Hickory Smoked Deli Slices 1.7g 0.87g

SALT DAMAGES THE BODY AND RAISES THE RISK OF EARLY DEATH 

Salt damages the heart and blood vessels and the brain by affecting how well the body distributes water and other fluids. 

The balance of fluids and sodium in the body is crucial to homeostasis, which keeps systems operating in sync. 

When there is too much sodium in our systems, our bodies retain excess fluid to try to balance out the salt. 

Cells which are swollen up with retained water mean the volume of blood becomes higher so the heart has to work harder to pump it, leading to higher blood pressure. 

High blood pressure, in turn, raises the risk of stroke and heart disease.  

Higher blood pressure also makes it more difficult for the heart to push oxygen-carrying blood to various organs, including the brain, which can lead to cognitive decline.

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'As meat alternatives become more like meat, and cultured meat reaches the market, the potential of these products to disrupt meat production could be ground-shifting and something to be monitored over the coming decade.'

Eating too much salt can put strain on the blood vessels and heart, raising the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure and stroke. 

Adults are advised to eat no more than 6g of salt a day, which is around one teaspoon. 

Action on Salt has previously urged those taking up a plant-based diet to be wary of their salt content after a survey in 2018 found shocking levels of salt in popular vegan food items.

More than 60 per cent of veggie products – 97 out of 157 included – had more salt in 100g than a large portion of McDonald's fries, which weighs 150g. 

Many contained more salt than their meaty alternative and some had even higher levels of sodium than seawater at the time of the research.

Arzoo Ahmed, a researcher at The Nuffield Council on Bioethics, said people attempting Veganuary and a vegan diet generally should take care to include meat alternatives as part of a balanced, varied diet.

She said: 'As long as the information is there, as part of the labelling, and people are aware that eating wholefoods, fruit, nuts, veg, beans, is always better than eating processed food – of any kind, whether it's meat or plant based – I think that's one of the key messages.'

She added: 'This is not to tell people to stop eating these products, I think people are choosing to eat these products for many different reasons, and as long as they are aware about the reasons they are making those choices I think that's the most important thing.'

Heather Russell, dietitian at the Vegan Society, gave advice for those trying to eat more vegan food.

She said: 'You can use food labels to keep an eye on added fat and salt and choose plenty of healthy sources of protein like canned beans and chickpeas in water, red split lentils, pure peanut butter, unsalted nuts, pumpkin seeds, the dry variety of soya mince, and plain tofu, which can be seasoned using spices.

'Everyone can help the environment by limiting their intakes of highly processed foods but an off-the-shelf vegan diet has the lowest environmental impact and it's the clear winner from an ethical perspective.' 

MailOnline has contacted Quorn, Linda McCartney (with products with more salt than McDonald's fries) for comment.  

Quorn said their Quarter Pounder Burger has been removed from market. It added: 'Quorn is committed to reducing salt across its portfolio and aims for a nutritional profile that achieves green and amber on the UK traffic light system. 

'The Quarter Pounder burger was recently withdrawn from market and replaced by the Quorn Ultimate Burger which contains 33 per cent less salt per 100g.'

Move Over Meat Free Revolution Burger is sold in Waitrose & Partners who the burgers are not an own-brand product.  

THE VEGETARIAN FOODS WHICH HAVE MORE SALT IN 100G THAN A LARGE PORTION OF MCDONALD'S FRIES (150G) (Source: Action on Salt, 2018)
Product Name Salt per 100g Salt per portion Pack size (g)
Tofurky Deli Slices Hickory Smoked 3.5 1.82 156
Tesco Meat Free 8 Bacon Style Rashers 3.2 0.9 150
Cheatin' Rashers* 2.1 na 115
Quorn 4 Best of British Sausages 240g 1.9 1.06 240
The Vegetarian Butcher No Chicken Chunks 1.9 1.52 160
Quorn 2 Quarter Pounders 227g 1.8 1.87 227
The Vegetarian Butcher Mc2 Vegetarian Burger 1.8 na 160
Linda McCartney's 2 Vegetarian Pulled Pork 1/4lb Burgers 1.8 1.75 227
Quorn Smokey Ham Free Slices 1.7 0.43 100
Cheatin' Ham Style Slices 1.7 na 100
Fry's Meat Free Chicken-Style Nuggets 1.7 1.62 380
Heck Veggie Sausages 1.7 1.45 255
Quorn Bacon Style Slices 150g 1.6 0.59 150
VBites VegiDeli Sage and Onion Slices 100g 1.6 na 100
The Vegetarian Butcher Lincolnshire Style Vegetarian Sausages 1.6 na 160
Linda McCartney 6 Vegetarian Red Onion & Rosemary Sausages 300g 1.6 1.47 300
Quorn Vegan 6 Cumberland Sausages 1.5 1.43 300
Quorn 2 Classic Burgers 180g 1.5 1.35 180
Quorn 4 Vegetarian Chicken Burgers 252g 1.5 0.9 252
Cauldron 2 Aduki Bean Melts 1.5 1.55 220
Linda McCartney 6 Vegetarian SausageS 1.5 1.34 300
Amy's Kitchen Manhattan Veggie Burgers 1.4 na 270
Cauldron 2 Vegan Falafel Burgers 1.4 1.2 180
Amy's Kitchen All American Veggie Burger 1.4 0.99 285
M&S Veggie Butternut Squash & Paprika Sausages 1.35 1.22 270
Quorn 2 Vegan Burgers 1.3 1.04 160
Quorn Crispy Nuggets 1.3 1.04 476
Quorn Chilli & Lime Sliced Fillets 140g 1.3 0.91 140
Quorn Fajita Strips 140g 1.3 0.87 140
Quorn Chicken Free Slices 1.3 0.33 100
Quorn Turkey & Stuffing Style Slices 100g 1.3 0.33 100
Vivera 2 Pumpkin Sweet Potato Burgers 1.3 1.3 200
Fry's Meat Free Chicken Style Strips 1.3 1.24 380
Cauldron 6 Lincolnshire Vegetarian Sausages 276g 1.3 1.2 276
Cauldron 6 Cumberland Vegetarian Sausages 1.3 1.2 276
Tesco Meat Free Chicken Style Pieces 1.3 0.88 300
Sainsbury's Vegetarian 9 Meat Free Hot Dog Style Sausages 1.3 0.78 270
Great Food Sweet Potato Burger 230g 1.26 na 230
M&S Veggie Roasted Mushroom & Red Onion Sausages 270g 1.25 1.13 270
Morrisons 6 Meat Free Sausages 1.24 1.14 300
Gosh! Broad Bean & Quinoa Bites 1.23 1.08 300
M&S Veggie Beetroot & Caramelised Onion 'Hot Dogs' 1.23 0.98 320
Naturli Plant Based Burger Patties 1.2 na 200
Goodlife Mushroom & Spinach Kiev with a Creamy Garlic & Cheese Sauce 250g 1.2 1.43 250
Quorn Vegetarian Bacon 120g 1.2 0.36 120
Quorn 12 Sausages 504g 1.2 0.94 504
Quorn 6 Sausages 1.2 0.94 250
Quorn 4 Sweet Chilli Sausages 1.2 0.7 240
Tesco Meat Free Sausages 1.2 0.96 264
Naturli Plant Based Mince 1.2 na 400
Marks & Spencer Veggie Sweetcorn & Chickpea Burgers 240g 1.18 1.42 240
M&S Veggie Mince 180g 1.17 1.05 180
Sainsbury's 8 Meat Free Burgers 1.16 1.04 454
Marks & Spencer Veggie Sweet Potato & Red Pepper Sausages 270g 1.15 1.04 270
No Bull Burgers 1.14 na 226
Iceland 2 Spicy Nacho Bean Burgers 1.1 na 270
Tesco 2 Chicken Style Cheesy Garlic Kievs 1.1 1.24 250
Tesco 6 Vegetarian Vegetable Burgers 1.1 1.19 340
Linda McCartney's 2 Vegetarian Mushroom & Spinach Burgers 220g 1.1 1.14 220
Vivera 2 Beetroot Burgers 1.1 1.1 200
Linda McCartney 2 Mozzarella 1/4lb Burgers 227g 1.1 1.08 227
Quorn Thai Chicken Fillets 1.1 0.91 166
Quorn 2 Five Grain Fillets 1.1 0.9 180
Quorn Sausage Patties 1.1 0.46 168
Quorn Spinach and Red Pepper Slices 1.1 0.28 100
M&S Veggie Broccoli, Spinach & Kale 'Hot Dogs' 1.1 0.88 320
Tesco 16 Meat Free Chicken Style Nuggets 1.1 0.79 320
Tesco Meat Free 8 Burgers 1.1 0.56 454
Vivera Veggie Mince 1.1 na 220
Marks & Spencer Veggie Edamame Bean Burgers 240g 1.08 1.3 240
Marks & Spencer Veggie Lentil & Beetroot Burgers 1.08 1.3 240
M&S Veggie Chunks 180g 1.08 0.97 180
Linda McCartney's 2 Vegetarian Country Pies 1 1.83 380
Linda McCartney 2 Vegetarian Quarter Pounder Burgers 227g 1 1.05 227
Tesco Meat Free 4 Cauliflower Cheese Grills 1 0.99 397
Quorn 2 Crispy Fillets 200g 1 1 200
Quorn Dippers 320g 1 0.92 320
Quorn 4 Wild Garlic & Parsley Sausages 1 0.6 240
Quorn 4 Frankfurters 180g 1 0.45 180
Sainsbury's Vegetarian 6 Meat Free Cumberland Style Sausages 1 0.8 264
Tesco Meat Free 9 Hot Dog Style Sausages 240g 1 0.6 240
Linda McCartney's 6 Vegetarian Chorizo & Red Pepper Sausages 0.99 0.91 300
Birds Eye 10 Vegetable Fingers 284g 0.93* 1.06 228
Tesco 2 Vegetarian Monterey Jack BBQ Bean Burgers 0.9 1.18 280
Asda Vegetarian Spicy Bean Burgers 0.9 0.95 454
Tesco 4 Vegetarian Spicy Bean Burgers 454g 0.9 0.95 454
Asda Chosen by You Vegetarian 4 Cauliflower Cheese Crispy Grills 397g 0.9 0.84 397
Morrisons Meat Free Sweet Potato & Edamame Burgers 0.9 0.79 350
Quorn 4 Hot & Spicy Burgers 0.9 0.59 264
Quorn Meat Free Southern Fried Chicken Burgers 252g 0.9 0.57 252
Quorn Chicken Style Slices 100g 0.9 0.23 100
Quorn Vegetarian Ham 100g 0.9 0.23 100
Asda Meat Free 2 Mature Cheddar & Roast Tomato Beef Style Quarter Pounders 0.89 0.88 227
Asda 4 Vegetable Burgers 0.87 0.93 454
Asda Meat Free 8 Beef Style Burgers 0.85 0.93 454
Asda 2 Mexican Spicy Bean Burgers 0.84 0.77 227
Sainsbury's Love Veg 4 Cheese & Spring Onion Crispbakes 454g 0.83 0.89 454

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