Dangerous levels of salt in East End's famous cuisine

ONE of the East End s most famous dishes could have dangerous levels of salt, a watchdog has warned. Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) is warning curry lovers that the salt content in some dishes was higher than the daily recommended limit. The

ONE of the East End's most famous dishes could have dangerous levels of salt, a watchdog has warned.

Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) is warning curry lovers that the salt content in some dishes was higher than the daily recommended limit.

The campaign group warned with side-dishes, such as naan bread and chutney, salt levels could be even higher, which could make a meal out on Brick Lane, the East End's famous 'Curry Mile', a health risk.

Nearly 800 products from takeaways, supermarkets and independent shops were analysed during the research and may were found to have more salt that the recommended daily intake of 6g.

Even rice was found to be fairly high with one brand containing 1.4g per portion and naan bread having 3.2g.

Professor Graham MacGregor, of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and Chairman of CASH, said: "It is the very high levels of unnecessary salt that are added to our food that puts up our blood pressure and leads to thousands of people needlessly dying of strokes, heart attacks and heart failures every year.

"The shockingly high levels of salt in many of these products mean that many people in the UK are consuming huge amounts of salt when they enjoy a curry."

CASH Campaign manager and nutritionist Katharine Jenner added: "A regular curry night is becoming a British institution, making these high salt levels extremely worrying.

"This survey shows salt can be hidden behind all the spices and chilli in your curry, even in side dishes and sauces.

"Add to this the lack of clear labelling on packaging and in takeaway restaurants, and it makes it very hard for consumers to choose a healthy option.