Takeout Salt Shock: Menu Labels Lie | Science News

Science News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 7, 2026 · 1m

New research reveals nearly half of popular takeout meals hide more salt than advertised—curries, pasta, and pizzas lead the pack, with some dishes exceeding daily limits. A University of Reading study found menu labels are often unreliable due to ingredient and prep variations. While packaged foods are getting saltier, restaurant meals may be even saltier, especially since salt is often baked in rather than added on. Fish and chip shops stand out as lower-salt options because salt is typically an add-on. Next time you order out, treat those labels as guidelines—and watch your sodium intake…