Health experts have issued an urgent warning over ‘excessive’ amounts of salt in supermarket stock cubes, which could raise the risk of heart disease.
The seasoning cubes, used to provide food with extra flavour, are bought by millions in the UK.
But according to a survey, the vast majority of Britons underestimate the level of salt. Some are made up of nearly 50 per cent salt and contain almost as much as the daily maximum recommended by the NHS.
The data, which questioned 1,000 Britons about stock cubes, found less than one in 20 realised they contained this much salt. Popular brands, such as Oxo and Knorr, say the cubes are supposed to season four or more separate meals.
However, experts say a lack of knowledge about the level of salt means that many people use the cubes for just one or two meals.
Excessive salt consumption can lead to increased blood pressure, risking heart disease and strokes. A 2017 study by the British Heart Foundation found that people who consumed around 14 grams of salt daily had a two times higher risk of heart failure compared to those consuming less than 7g.
Other health risks of too much salt include headaches, a constant need to urinate and edema, which causes swollen hands and feet.
The NHS recommends that adults should not consume more than 6g of salt a day, around one tablespoon. But a 10g Aldi beef stock cube contains just over 4g of salt, nearly a whole day’s intake. Knorr chicken stock cubes contain more than 4g of salt, making up almost half of its entire ingredients.
‘Most of the salt we consume is from hidden sources like stock cubes,’ says London-based nutritionist Rob Hudson. ‘The labelling on these products can also be very confusing, as the salt content they claim to contain is for a portion size much smaller than most people consume.’
Experts warn the products also contain high amounts of ultra-processed ingredients. Growing research suggests that people who consume diets rich in ultra-processed foods, also known as UPFs, are more at risk of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
Oxo beef stock cubes – which each have more than 3g of salt – also contain a number of UPFs including monosodium gutamate, disodium guanylate, ammonia caramel, and flavourings.
‘Always check the labels of the ingredients,’ warns Mr Hudson.
The survey was carried out by the bone broth company Freja, which markets itself as a healthier alternative to stock cubes. Each 500ml carton of Freja contains around three grams of salt.
‘Stock was originally made by making a broth from meat bones,’ says Ed Armitage co-founder of Freja. ‘But commercially available stocks have a poor nutritional profile with no functional benefits.’
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: ‘Retailers have reduced salt significantly across all their products in the last decade.
‘However, consumers know stock cubes are seasoning for larger meals such as casseroles and stews, eaten by families and friends. This means it is perfectly OK to use them without exceeding recommended salt consumption levels.’
