A new study has warned that there is more salt per serving in certain brands of pesto than there is in a McDonald’s hamburger.

The report from the Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) group in the UK warned that Sacla pesto contains more than 1.5g of salt per serving.

It means the sauces contain 3.3g of salt per 100g – making them 30% saltier than seawater and 2.5 times saltier than salted peanuts.

Dietician Orla Walsh said consumers need to be careful when it comes to processed foods: 

“There are pestos out there that have 0.3g per 100g – so it is not all pestos,” she said. “I think people just need look at the label a little bit more.”

“You see, as soon as you buy something in a packet, there is always going to be something added to it.

“So, for example, I think most people are surprised at this - there is more salt in two slices of bread than in a packet of crisps.

“A lot of these pestos have more salt in them than seawater."

She recommended customers go for pesto brands containing 0.3g of salt per 100g.

Responding to the study, Sacla said its products should be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.