New report finds 44% of supermarket and high street sandwiches are high in salt.

Sustain alliance member Action on Salt & Sugar has published the results of a new survey of 546 sandwiches, wraps, rolls and baguettes sold in supermarkets and high street chains. 

• 44% of the products passed the ‘high’ salt red traffic light warning for front of pack labelling.
• 1 in 4 of the sandwiches are classed as ‘less healthy’ under high fat, salt and sugar (HFFS)  rules.
• 32 products contained 50% or more of an adult’s guideline daily maximum amount (6g) of salt in a single serving.  

The announcement of the report said the ‘worst offender is GAIL’s Smoked Chicken Caesar Club, packing more salt than nearly five McDonald's cheeseburgers.’

Download the full report

The authors say the report: ‘lays bare the scale of hidden salt in everyday lunch choices and exposes the failure of the Government’s voluntary approach to improve the nutritional quality of foods available to us.’ 

Sonia Pombo, Head of Research and Impact at Action on Salt & Sugar, said:

"More than 20 years after the first set of salt reduction targets were introduced, it’s frankly unacceptable that some companies continue to sell sandwiches that exceed an adult’s daily limit in one go. Voluntary action has been allowed to drift for too long, and the result is a food environment that continues to put public health at risk. The Government must now step in with tough, mandatory measures, because leaving this to industry goodwill has clearly failed."

Real Bread Campaign coordinator Chris Young said:

"While large manufacturers have made progress in reducing salt levels, some still need to go further and faster. We echo Action on Salt & Sugar’s call for the Government and businesses to step up to the plate."

Kate Howard, Recipe for Change coordinator at Sustain said:

“The public has shown they’re fed up with the food on our shelves – it’s time for Government to listen. Too many of us across the country, including children, are consuming far more salt than we realise, raising the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Recipe for Change’s Citizens' Charter makes it clear that people want healthier food on their shelves, and industry has both the power and the responsibility to deliver that."

Some sandwiches from cafes, bakeries and coffee shops were saltier than supermarket options but many lacked clear nutrition labelling, leaving people unaware of how much salt they’re eating.

The Real Bread Campaign has long urged bakeries of all types and sizes to reduce the amount of salt they use.

Salt Awareness Week 2026 runs until 17 May.