Doner kebabs sold in Haringey could contain a “shocking” level of salt and fat, a survey has revealed.
Haringey council was one of 76 local authorities to take part in the sampling of the popular doner kebabs for LACORS, the Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services.
The results found just one takeaway contains 1,000 calories - half a woman’s recommended daily intake - and almost a full daily allowance of salt.
Fat content was no better with saturated fat more than one-and-a-half times the recommended daily amount without sauces or salads.
In some cases trading standards found doner kebabs hailed as halal meat actually contained traces of pork and more than a third of all 494 samples across the country contained different meats than originally advertised.
Chairman of LACORS Geoffrey Theobald 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.
“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.
“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.”
Owner of Turkish Bingol Restaurant, Riza Alpkan, in Green Lanes, Harringay, says these kebabs have given Turkish food a bad name.
He said: “It’s not just simple food, we do very rich Turkish food and homemade kebabs, but not only kebabs. There are a lot of restaurants in Green Lanes but there are fast food shops as well.
“The fast food shops use cheap meat, they use minced lamb and put other things in it.
"80 per cent of fast food shops buy it in frozen from a factory. You don’t know when they’ve made it, six months or a year ago, and you don’t know which meat they use.
“I’ve never gone there in my life. I am used to seeing drunk people after midnight when they’re hungry and that’s their only option.
“They are sold for only £2 or £2.50 - what do people expect? People want it cheap and then they get poisoned. Maybe they want to save money.
"I recommend people go to a traditional restaurant rather than fast food."
Cabinet member for enforcement and safer communities, councillor Nilgun Canver said: "We have some lovely restaurants in Haringey.This survey covers only one dish served in some of these restaurants so it is important to put this into perspective.
"A grilled chicken or lamb shish kebab with rice and salad is nutritionally balanced as are most of the alternatives to the doner kebab.
"Clearly it is sensible to reduce the fat and salt content in meals and I would hope our residents make choices based on healthy eating principles.
"It is also crucial for our residents that restaurant owners ensure any claims made regarding the provenance of food are accurate."
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