The wholesome image of a warm bowl of soup has been shattered by a damning new study exposing the dangerous levels of salt hiding in supermarket aisles. Research by Action on Salt and Sugar (AoSS) reveals that nearly a quarter of all ready-to-eat soups sold in the UK are loaded with more salt than two McDonald's cheeseburgers, posing a silent but deadly risk to public health.

The audit of 481 tinned and chilled soups found that 23% of products exceeded the government’s voluntary salt reduction targets. In a shocking indictment of the food industry, premium and "healthy" brands were among the worst offenders. The findings suggest that for many consumers, a "light lunch" is actually a sodium bomb that could be driving up blood pressure and increasing the risk of stroke.

The worst Offenders

The study named and shamed the most egregious products. "Soup Head's Tom Yum Soup" took the dubious top spot, containing a staggering 3.03g of salt in a single 300g serving. To put that in perspective, that is more than half the recommended daily limit for an adult and significantly saltier than fast food junk.

Other culprits included perceived high-end brands like Daylesford Organic and Baxters. Their products, often marketed with rustic, wholesome packaging, contained salt levels that would warrant a red health warning label. "It is unacceptable that something as simple as soup is being turned into a vehicle for chronic disease," said Sonia Pombo, campaign lead at AoSS. "The industry has had years to reformulate, yet they continue to prioritize shelf life and cheap flavor over human health."

The Labeling Lie

The study also highlighted a deceptive practice in portion sizing. Many manufacturers list nutritional information for "half a can," knowing full well that most consumers eat the entire tin in one sitting. This artificially lowers the salt content on the label, misleading shoppers into thinking they are making a healthy choice.

• The Contrast: Interestingly, supermarket own-label soups performed much better, with only 6% failing to meet targets compared to 48% of branded soups. This proves that reducing salt is technically possible and commercially viable.
• The Health Cost: Excess salt intake is a leading cause of hypertension, which kills thousands annually. The NHS spends billions treating preventable heart conditions linked to poor diet.

Call for Action

The AoSS is now calling for mandatory salt reduction targets, arguing that the voluntary approach has failed. With one in six soups requiring a red warning label, the message is clear: trust no one, read the fine print, and perhaps, start making your own soup. Until the government steps in, the supermarket shelf remains a minefield for the health-conscious consumer.