Recent research suggests that almost nine out of ten bags of ready-to-eat popcorn are so unhealthy that they would violate upcoming advertising rules.
These new regulations are designed to curb children’s exposure to foods high in fat, salt, or sugar, following the rising levels of childhood obesity in the UK.
The study reveals that snacks like popcorn, crisps, and nuts are often overloaded with excessive sugar or salt, making them problematic for advertising under new guidelines set to take effect in October.
Popcorn, Crisps, and Nuts Overload on Salt and Sugar, Making Them Non-Compliant with New Rules
Researchers from Action on Salt and Sugar, based at Queen Mary University of London, analyzed over 1,200 snack products including crisps, nuts, and popcorn.
They found that a significant portion of these snacks would be categorized as ‘less healthy’ under the new government regulations.
Specifically, 77% of crisps, 56% of nuts, and 88% of ready-to-eat popcorn would not meet the standards.
This would result in restrictions on how they can be advertised on TV and online, particularly before the 9 pm watershed.
Excessive Salt and Sugar Levels in Snacks Contributing to Health Risks
Consuming too much salt can increase blood pressure, which is a leading cause of strokes and heart disease.
Likewise, consuming excess sugar is a major factor in fueling the obesity crisis, which can increase the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and even some cancers.
Despite popcorn often being marketed as a healthier snack, the study found that a significant number of ready-to-eat popcorn bags exceed the recommended salt limits.
In some cases, these products even contain more salt than a packet of crisps.
High Sugar Content in Popcorn Raises Concerns Over Health Impact, Especially for Children
Out of the popcorn surveyed, 42% would receive a red traffic light warning for excessive sugar levels.
For example, one popular brand, Morrisons Market Street Toffee Flavour Popcorn, contains 59.1g of sugar per 100g, which is more than seven teaspoons of sugar per serving—well above the recommended daily limit for children.
This discovery highlights the need for food companies to reconsider the nutritional content of their snacks to prevent further harm to public health.
Flavored Nuts and Crisps Also Found to Contain Unhealthy Amounts of Salt and Sugar
Flavored nuts, while generally lower in salt, also failed to meet healthy standards in some cases.
Nearly a quarter of flavored nuts exceeded the salt targets, with products like Boundless Sweet Chilli Nuts & Seeds Boost containing more than double the recommended salt levels. Similarly, some crisps continue to be packed with excess salt.
For example, Eat Real Lentil Chips Chilli & Lemon contains 3.6g of salt per 100g, which exceeds the salt concentration of seawater.
Action on Salt and Sugar Calls for Urgent Reformulation and Government Enforcement
The researchers are urging food companies to reformulate their snacks to make them healthier and to comply with new regulations.
Sonia Pombo, the head of research and impact at Action on Salt, stated that it is time for the government to implement mandatory targets with strong enforcement to tackle the hidden salt and sugar crisis in the UK.
She emphasized that some companies have already shown it is possible to reduce salt and sugar levels, and now it’s time for the government to step in and ensure all companies follow suit.
Calls for Stronger Government Action on Food Reformulation and Advertising Rules
Experts like Dr. Pauline Swift from Blood Pressure UK and Kate Howard from Recipe for Change are also calling for urgent action to reduce salt and sugar levels in food.
Dr. Swift highlighted that excess salt raises blood pressure, a leading cause of preventable strokes and heart disease, while Howard stressed that food companies should be incentivized to improve their products, rather than continuing to harm public health.
Without enforceable targets, they believe the situation will only worsen.
Food Industry Responds with Claims of Progress in Reducing Salt and Sugar
In response to the findings, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) defended the food industry’s efforts, claiming that manufacturers have made significant progress in improving the healthiness of their products.
They pointed out that food manufacturers have reduced salt by a third, sugar by a quarter, and calories by a quarter over the past decade.
However, the FDF also acknowledged that more work is needed to continue improving food options for consumers.
Public Health Experts Demand More Stricter Food Regulations to Tackle Obesity Crisis
Tam Fry from the National Obesity Forum called for annual weight measurements for everyone, including children, as a way to monitor and prevent rising obesity rates.
He criticized governments for not taking prevention seriously and urged them to extend weight measurements for children into secondary school years.
With the rising obesity crisis, experts agree that early intervention is key to preventing long-term health issues.
Government Steps Up Efforts to Curb Child-Targeted Junk Food Ads with New Policies
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care emphasized that childhood obesity is a serious issue that costs the NHS billions.
The government has committed to cracking down on junk food advertising targeted at children, and they are working on a plan to shift the focus from sickness to prevention, aiming to create a healthier future generation.
These new measures are part of a broader strategy to combat the obesity crisis in the UK.
Urgency for Policy Change to Address Rising Rates of Obesity and Related Health Issues
The ongoing health crisis related to rising obesity levels has sparked widespread calls for urgent action from the UK government.
With a focus on improving the nutritional standards of everyday snacks and reducing the amount of hidden salt and sugar in foods, experts are pushing for stronger regulatory measures to protect public health.
Without decisive action, the nation risks further increases in chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.