Gail’s – the polarizing upmarket bakery that often leaves locals with mixed feelings – has endured criticism over its food wastage and prices, having been dubbed ‘Pret for the super-rich’.
Now, to add to the list of complaints, the chain is hitting headlines over the ‘dangerous amount of salt’ found in some of its sandwiches, according to non-profit Action on Salt & Sugar.
Of the 546 sandwiches, wraps, rolls and baguettes analysed by the experts in a new study into Britain’s lunchtime staples, almost half (44 per cent) carry a red ‘high’ salt warning on the front of the packaging.
The worst offender is GAIL’s Smoked Chicken Caesar Club, which contains a whopping 6.88g of salt, the equivalent of nearly five McDonald’s Cheeseburgers.
What’s more, the bakery’s popular sandwich contains 1,067 calories – more than half the daily limit for women.
While the chain’s Chicken Caesar offering was by far the worst offender, this was followed by another of GAIL’s options – the Smoked Salmon Bagel with Schmear and Pickled Pink Onions, which contains 4.2g of salt.
The findings burst the bubble for those who imagine that popping into a posh bakery that serves options such as avocado toast and overnight oats is likely to be a healthier option than any of the other high street chains.
At McDonald’s, for instance, a Mayo Chicken Burger has just 282 calories, 9.4g of fat and 0.92g of salt, compared to the Chicken Caesar Club’s 1067 calories, 66g of fat and 6.88g of salt.
So, how does the pricey coffee shop – that’s become a marker of gentrification across the UK – stack up against Britain’s go-to fast-food chain if you’re looking to trim the calories, fat or salt from your diet?
Below, the Daily Mail compares 12 similar dishes on the menu at Gail’s and McDonald’s to find out which is better if you’re trying to eat less calories, fat or salt.
When comparing both eateries’ fish options, it was found that Gail’s Smoked Salmon Bagel with Schmear and Pickled Pink Onions contained 460 calories, 14g of fat and 4.2g of salt.
This was higher than the amount found in the Filet-O-Fish, which featured 316 calories, 13g of fat and 1.4g of salt.
Similarly, the breakfast options also proved to have less calories, fat and salt in McDonald’s items.
A Breakfast Bacon & Egg Slider from Gail’s featured 934 calories, 67g of fat and 3.1g of salt, compared to 336, 16g and 1.4g , respectively, in a Bacon & Egg McMuffin from the fast food chain.
Elsewhere, a Breakfast Egg Slider from the bakery is 256 more calories than the Egg & Cheese McMuffin.
It also contains more fat and salt – and so does the Apple & Blackcurrant Overnight Oats, compared to the burger chain’s Porridge with Strawberry Jam.
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Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The NHS recommends adults have no more than 6g of salt per day, yet many people unknowingly exceed this.
For those grabbing lunch, there is a lower calorie, salt and fat option at Gail’s than at McDonald’s to be found in the vegetarian section – with the Mini Avocado & Chickpea Challah coming out on top compared to the McPlant.
However, if it’s a salad you’re looking for, arguably better to stick to the Crispy Chicken and Bacon Salad, rather than the Harissa Chicken Salad from the bakery, because that features twice the amount of salt. Although, there is more fat found in the fast-food version.
Nutritionist Dr Sarah Schenker told The Daily Mail: ‘This comparison might surprise people, but it shouldn’t. Just because something is sold by Gail’s and looks artisanal doesn’t mean it’s automatically healthier.
‘Some of the Gail’s items contain three to four times the calories, fat or salt content of similar options from McDonald’s. But this is largely to do with portion size and recipe composition.
‘Gail’s products are typically larger and made with energy-dense ingredients such as oils, dressings, and artisan breads, which increases total calorie and fat content. McDonald’s products are standardised and smaller.
‘If you can afford the higher calorie intake it’s worth noting that some of these calories are coming from healthy ingredients used by Gail’s like oily fish, nuts, seeds (good sources of healthy fats like omega 3).
‘However, both brands have products that are high in sugars, refined carbs, salt, and saturated fat. Neither are healthy, a chocolate brownie is a chocolate brownie.
‘Just because it’s sold by Gail’s doesn’t make it healthier! Posh and expensive doesn’t always mean healthy.’
Nutritionist Destini Moody added: ‘What this data really illustrates is that premium positioning and artisan branding do not equal nutritional quality.
Of the 546 sandwiches, wraps, rolls and baguettes analysed by the researchers, almost half (44 per cent) carry a red ‘high’ salt warning on the front of the packaging. The worst offender is GAIL’s Smoked Chicken Caesar Club , which contains a whopping 6.88g of salt
‘We have been conditioned to assume that a sourdough bakery with exposed brick and oat milk lattes is healthier than a fast food chain. We need to focus on labels and base our decisions on what they say.’
Nutritionist Resource member Rosalie Collins echoed this, adding: ‘High sodium intake is a massive public health concern, however, focusing only on sodium intake can oversimplify nutrition and mislead consumers.
‘Nutritional quality should be assessed in relation to the food’s ingredients, protein and fibre content, level of processing, and portion size.
‘A sandwich may contain more sodium than expected while also providing higher-quality ingredients, more fibre, or greater nutritional value than a fast-food alternative.
‘That being said many people are unaware that foods perceived as “premium,” “fresh,” or “artisan” can actually be unhealthy and contain very high amounts of sodium.
‘This is particularly true for foods such as breads, sauces, cheeses, and processed meats commonly found in sandwiches. This is why it is so important to actually look at what you are consuming whether it’s from McDonald’s or Gail’s.
‘Many people still see fast food as the main source of unhealthy eating, when actually high salt levels can be found across a variety of grab-and-go foods.’
The Daily Mail contacted Gail’s and McDonald’s for comment.
‘Around three quarters of the salt we eat comes from packaged and everyday foods we buy, such as bread, breakfast cereals, meat products and ready meals,’ the NHS explains on its website.
‘It can also be found in takeaways, restaurant or café meals and fast–food outlets.’
‘Most people choose sandwiches for lunch for their simplicity, convenience and affordability. But what they’re actually eating can be a full day’s worth of salt hidden between two slices of bread,’ said Sonia Pombo, Head of Research and Impact at Action on Salt & Sugar.
In their new analysis, the team set out to analyse the salt levels in popular sandwiches.
In total, they looked at 546 sandwiches, wraps, rolls and baguettes sold in supermarkets and high street chains in the UK.
Overall, 12 per cent of the sandwiches were found to exceed salt targets.
PAUL’s Rosette Cheese Salami Gherkin (4.19g) was close behind the options from Gail’s, ahead of Pret A Manger’s Ham & Grevé Baguette (3.85g), and Subway’s Spicy Italian Wrap (3.8g).
Other popular sandwiches on the list include Tesco’s Fully Loaded Hot Honey Halloumi, Falafel and Pickled Slaw (3.78g), Tootoomoo’s Sriracha Pork Sando Sandwich (3.7g), and Sainsbury’s Kitchen Deli Pastrami, Cheddar Cheese & Gherkin Mustard Mayo (3.67g).
At the other end of the list, Subway’s Veggie Delite Sub was found to be the least salty offering, with just 0.60g of salt.
Pret a Manger’s Avo, Olive & Toms Half Baguette is also a great low–salt offering at 0.82g, along with Caffè Nero’s Chicken, Tomato & Basil Hot Wrap (1.08g), and Greggs’ Tuna Mayonnaise & Cucumber Sandwich (1.1g).
In terms of specific outlets, the researchers highlight that several companies are getting it right.
Their analysis found that every product from Pollen + Grace, The Gym Kitchen, and Urban Rajah met calorie and salt reduction targets, and had no red warning labels on front of pack.
Within retailers, Asda and Lidl achieved full compliance to the salt targets for sandwiches.
Meanwhile, Starbucks and Greggs provided the lowest average salt levels in the out–of–home sector.
Based on the findings, Action on Salt & Sugar is calling on the UK government to enforce stricter rules on salt in sandwiches.
‘More than 20 years after the first set of salt reduction targets were introduced, it’s frankly unacceptable that some companies continue to sell sandwiches that exceed an adult’s daily limit in one go,’ Ms Pombo said.
‘Voluntary action has been allowed to drift for too long, and the result is a food environment that continues to put public health at risk.
‘The Government must now step in with tough, mandatory measures, because leaving this to industry goodwill has clearly failed.’
While salt reduction is one of the quickest, cheapest and most effective ways to improve public health, progress has ‘stalled’, according to Dr Pauline Swift, Consultant Nephrologist and Chair of Action on Salt & Sugar.
‘Too much salt drives up blood pressure, one of the biggest causes of preventable strokes, heart disease and kidney disease,’ she explained.
‘People should not be exposed to a hidden health risk every time they buy lunch. Ministers need to stop relying on voluntary promises and start taking prevention more seriously.’
WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?
Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to the NHS
• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count
• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain
• 30 grams of fibre a day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat cereal biscuits, 2 thick slices of wholemeal bread and large baked potato with the skin on
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) choosing lower fat and lower sugar options
• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming in small amounts
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men a day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide
