A recent study has revealed a troubling trend: according to government guidelines, more than 75% of the top-selling dishes from popular takeaway outlets, restaurants, and coffee chains are deemed unhealthy. This “hugely alarming” finding underscores the critical need for stronger regulations to safeguard consumer health.
The research, conducted by a team of public health nutrition experts, assessed the nutritional content of the 10 best-selling items from 19 major UK “out of home” food outlets, including well-known chains like Subway, Pizza Express, McDonald’s, Greggs, Starbucks, and Pret a Manger. The analysis showed that many beloved items—such as pizzas, burgers, chicken dishes, fries, and baguettes—contain excessively high levels of fat, salt, sugar, and calories, raising serious health concerns.
The study applied three different government-endorsed nutritional evaluation methods—the nutrient profiling model, traffic light labelling, and metrics related to sugar tax regulations. Depending on the method used, between 46% and 78% of the 190 dishes examined were classified as unhealthy. These metrics assess factors like calorie count, fat content, and the presence of beneficial nutrients such as fiber and vitamins.
Experts have expressed concern over the prevalence of unhealthy options in the food sector. “The dominance of unhealthy foods and drinks in the out-of-home sector is hugely alarming,” they stated. “While healthier options do exist, the overall food environment makes it challenging for consumers to make healthier choices.”
The study highlights the growing trend of eating out, with Britons making an estimated 2.4 billion visits to “out of home” outlets annually. This type of food consumption accounts for up to 25% of daily calorie intake, with major chains contributing over half of this figure. Given the large portion sizes often served, diners are at risk of consuming excessive amounts of salt, sugar, fat, and calories in a single meal.
Five specific dishes were consistently identified as unhealthy across all nutritional evaluation methods: Pizza Hut’s Pepperoni Feast, Burger King’s Memphis BBQ King Double, Nando’s Fino Pitta, Wetherspoon’s Halloumi-Style Fries, and Pret a Manger’s Ham and Grevé Baguette. These items were flagged for their unbalanced nutrient profiles, including high levels of saturated fat, salt, and calories, coupled with low levels of fiber and essential nutrients.
The lack of transparency in nutritional information further complicates the issue. The study found that only three out of the 19 companies disclosed detailed nutritional information publicly. Experts criticized this lack of transparency, calling it “absurd” that consumers have access to detailed nutritional data in supermarkets but are left in the dark when eating out.
In response to these findings, calls have intensified for governmental action to enforce stricter regulations on the food industry. Health advocates are urging policymakers to mandate clearer nutritional disclosures and drive reform in food formulation to promote healthier options.
The Department of Health and Social Care has promised to tackle the obesity crisis with measures such as restricting junk food advertising and banning sales of sugary, high-caffeine energy drinks to children. However, experts argue that more immediate and comprehensive actions are necessary to address the widespread issue of unhealthy “out of home” food.
The UK Hospitality sector defended its position by highlighting that the nutrient profile model deemed 54% of the studied products healthy. They emphasized that the industry is committed to offering a variety of options, including healthier choices, and complies with legal requirements to provide calorie counts on menus.
As the debate continues, notable changes are needed to ensure that consumers have access to healthier food options when eating out, safeguard public health, and address the growing concern of dietary-related illnesses.
