A new survey carried out by the Food Standards Agency has revealed that standard pork sausages on sale in the UK contain more salt now than they did when last surveyed in 1991.

Forum Response: Food Standards Agency

Julia Unwin, deputy chair of the Food Standards Agency, said: "Sausages are popular, particularly in the summer barbecue season. But our survey shows that their salt levels are still too high. Having too much salt in your diet can contribute to two of the big killers in the UK - heart disease and stroke.

"Manufacturers and retailers are starting to respond to our calls to reduce the amounts of salt and fat in their food, but they need to go further and play their part in improving the nation's health."

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Richard Ali, Director of Food Policy at the British Retail Consortium, told ePolitix.com: "Whilst sausages make up a small proportion of the average diet, retailers currently provide customers with a wider choice of well-labelled and nutritious sausages than ever before. However, most customers do as they have always done and select sausages on their own taste preferences

"Over the last few months, the BRC has raised its deep concerns over the design of selective mini-surveys completed by the FSA. Our worries include the usefulness of the survey to Britain's 58 million consumers given that retailers already provide good information through labelling and the scientific methodology used in sampling given the limited and selective nature of the products chosen.

"The BRC is on record of supporting the government's call for people to reduce their salt intake and continue to work with their suppliers on reducing salt across all of their products.

"However, given a cultural shift in diet is needed, we are disappointed that government has yet to fully fund a comprehensive public education programme."

Forum Response: The Stroke Association

A spokesman for the Stroke Association told ePolitix.com: "Reducing salt intake has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke. There is clear evidence that cutting salt intake effectively lowers blood pressure, both in people who already have high blood pressure and in those with normal blood pressure.

"With some 80 per cent of our salt intake coming from prepared foods we need to put pressure on the manufacturers to do their bit to improve the health of the nation."