Amazingly, Muffins, Puddings and breakfast Cereals all contain high salt content, and 97% of people interviewed did not understand this fact and the hidden risk to their childrens health.

 Over 80 per cent of our salt intake comes from processed foods in Europe and the USA according to CASH (Consensus Action on Salt and Health). Intuitively no-one expects salt to be included in sweet products but sadly this is widely practised.

Salt Hidden in Sweets
CASH ran a survey on the parenting website 'NetMums.com' to find out how educated parents are regarding salt and its effects on health. In the survey only 3 per cent of parents knew that a blueberry muffin has more salt content than two bags of potato chips.

CASH also found a portion of Butterkist Butter Flavour Microwave Popcorn contains 2.2g of salt. This already contains 73% of daily salt allowance for children aged 4-6. Other sweet products included a Treacle Sponge Pudding with 0.8g of salt per portion, 27% of the daily allowance.

Salt Health Risk
Numerous reports have been published citing the connection between high salt intake and  increased blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) - a disease that causes almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe.

Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at St George's Hospital said: "We know that a lot of work has been done by some companies to reduce salt in products eaten by children. We want to see all manufacturers doing everything they can to reduce the salt they put in children's food. If they really cannot reduce the salt content in food eaten by children to reasonable levels, perhaps they should consider ceasing production."

Childrens' Diet Salt Contributors;
* 40% from cereal & cereal products e.g. bread, breakfast cereals, 'morning goods'
* 21% from meat & meat products e.g. bacon & ham, burgers, sausages
* 9% from potatoes e.g. coated oven chips, croquettes
* 9% from milk & milk products e.g. yoghurts, cheese

The last word goes to CASH: "Always read the label. The salt content of the same product will vary across different manufactured brands. To calculate the salt content of food from sodium you need to multiply the amount by 2.5. "