A recent study reveals that more than 75% of the top-selling dishes from major UK takeaway, restaurant, and coffee chains are classified as unhealthy according to government guidelines. The research, conducted on 190 popular items from 19 prominent “out of home” outlets, including Subway, Pizza Express, McDonald’s, Greggs, Starbucks, and Pret a Manger, found that many menu staples such as pizzas, burgers, chicken dishes, fries, and baguettes contain excessive amounts of fat, salt, sugar, or calories, posing health risks.
The study applied three different government-backed nutritional assessment methods: the nutrient profiling model, traffic light labeling, and metrics from sugar tax guidelines. Results showed that between 46% and 78% of the dishes analyzed were deemed unhealthy depending on the criteria used.
The findings have sparked calls for government intervention to push the food industry towards healthier product options. Dr. Monique Tan, lead researcher and lecturer in public health nutrition at Queen Mary University of London, expressed concern over the dominance of unhealthy options in the “out of home” sector, where consumers frequently face limited healthy choices.
The rise in dining out, with Britons visiting such outlets approximately 2.4 billion times annually, means that “out of home” food accounts for 11% to 25% of daily calorie intake, with major chains contributing more than half of this. Tan highlighted that as eating out becomes more common, consumers are increasingly exposed to unhealthy food options.
Among the five consistently unhealthy items identified were Pizza Hut’s Pepperoni Feast pizza, Burger King’s Memphis BBQ King Double, Nando’s Fino Pitta with grilled chicken and halloumi cheese, Halloumi-style fries at Wetherspoon’s pubs, and Pret a Manger’s Ham and Greve Baguette. These dishes were criticized for their unbalanced nutrient profiles, marked by high levels of calories, sugar, saturated fat, and salt, and low amounts of fiber and other beneficial nutrients.
The study also found that only three out of the 19 companies—Dominos, Pizza Express, and Pret a Manger—disclosed detailed nutritional information publicly. This lack of transparency hinders consumers’ ability to make informed choices. Dr. Kawther Hashem from Action on Sugar criticized the disparity between supermarket and “out of home” food labeling practices, urging for greater disclosure.
In response, UK Hospitality’s Chief Executive Kate Nicholls noted that 54% of the analyzed products were classified as healthy under the nutrient profile model and emphasized the industry’s commitment to offering diverse menu options, including healthy choices. The Department of Health and Social Care reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the obesity crisis through advertising restrictions and other preventive measures.
Dr. Tan’s research underscores the need for continued efforts to improve the healthfulness of “out of home” dining options, particularly as eating out becomes an increasingly frequent part of daily life.