What's in your doner kebab?

The study was coordinated by LACORS (Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services). Officers from 76 councils throughout the UK sampled 494 doner kebabs to check the meat content, labelling and nutritional value. The study found a major issue with food labelling, 40% of sampled kebabs that provided labelling information did not have an exact declaration for the meat species present. Tests also showed that in 15% of cases beef was found in the kebab, but not declared on the label. In fact, 35% of the labels listed different meat species than that actually contained in the kebab. Alarmingly, six kebabs tested positive for pork when it had not been declared as an ingredient, of which two were claimed as Halal. The study examined the nutritional value of a doner kebab in pita bread, without salad or sauces, finding: • the average kebab contains 98% of daily salt. • the average kebab contained nearly 1000 calories – half a women's daily food intake • the average kebab contains 148% of daily saturated fat LACORS is organising a workshop for councils and business representatives to develop guidance aimed at improving the product labelling used by kebab manufacturers. Cllr Geoffrey Theobald OBE, chairman of LACORS, said: "We would never consider kebabs part of a calorie controlled diet, but the level of saturated fat and salt in some is a serious cause for concern. "While some people may think they are making sensible choices by ordering a small kebab, this study showed little difference between small and large kebab weight. With obesity rates rising so rapidly in the UK, portion size is as important as what is being consumed. Reducing portion size is an easy and cost effective way for small businesses to help people eat sensibly. "The study shows that even if there's a food label it's not necessarily accurate. Even kebabs labelled as Halal had problems with some found to contain pork. It is totally unacceptable that people that with certain faiths are unknowingly eating meats that are against their beliefs. Labelling is a safeguard for people to help them make informed choices so need to be accurate. "This study has turned the spotlight on doner kebabs and we hope that manufacturers rise to the challenge and work with councils to provide a healthier product that contains only what it says on the label."