Meat-filled sandwiches leave consumers hamstrung for a healthy planet-friendly lunch

• 570 sandwiches (92%) contained meat, fish or cheese.
• Only 17 out of 620 sandwiches (less than 3%) contained no meat, fish, egg or cheese.
• Sandwiches with meat, fish or cheese are often the higher fat, salt and calorie options.
• Non-meat & fish sandwiches typically cost less  – between half and three quarters the price of meat or fish options.

A snapshot survey of 620 sandwiches and wraps from eight supermarkets and four high street sandwich chains (1) by Eating Better (2) has found that consumers trying to eat healthily and reduce their impact on the environment, will struggle to find a choice of sandwiches that fits the bill.

With farm animals responsible for around 15% of global greenhouse gases (GHGs) (equivalent to the amount of GHGs from cars), reducing meat and other animal products in our diets is a simple way to eat smart for the planet. Evidence also shows a predominantly plant-based diet is healthier too; cutting heart disease, obesity and cancer (3).  Yet Eating Better’s survey found only 17 out of 620 sandwiches (less than 3%) contained no meat, fish, egg or cheese. The survey also found that sandwiches without meat, fish or cheese were more likely to be healthier choices with lower levels of saturated fat, salt and calories.

In British Sandwich Week (4), Eating Better is calling on food companies to be more innovative and provide a better choice of delicious, healthy, environmentally-friendly sandwiches and wraps with vegetables and pulses to help customers go meat-free at lunchtime. Example fillings already on the shelves include falafel, hummus, Mexican three bean, Moroccan vegetables, Veggie Bombay, chickpea & sweet potato, avocado & herb, artichoke & basil. 

“Our research shows that many people are trying to be planet and health conscious and looking to eat less meat. Going meat-free at lunchtime is a simple way to cut down. But consumers seeking healthier sandwiches with a lower environmental impact are being let down,” says Sue Dibb of Eating Better.  “We’re calling on food manufacturers and retailers to help consumers choose healthier, environmentally-friendly diets by offering a better range of delicious sandwiches made with vegetables and pulses. The good news for consumers is that it doesn’t need to cost more. We found non-meat or fish sandwiches cost less on average.”

Eating Better is encouraging people during Meat Free May to swap their lunchtime meat, fish or cheese sandwich for a vegetable-based option, or try making their own. If they have a favourite plant-based sandwich they’ve bought or made, they can share it on Twitter using the #EatingBetterChallenge hashtag tweeted to @Eating_Better.

Contact: Siobhan O’Neill, Communications Associate, Eating Better. Email:Siobhan@eating-better.org Mob: 07824 426584 Twitter: @Eating_Better

Notes for Editors:

(1)    Eating Better surveyed 620 sandwich and wrap choices from eight retailers (Asda, Boots, Co-op, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose) and four high street sandwich chains (Pret a Manger, EAT, Subway, Greggs) between October 2014 and January 2015.  For further details of the survey see Eating Better Briefing here. 

(2)    Eating Better: for a fair, green, healthy future (www.eating-better.org) is a broad alliance, to help people move towards eating less meat and more food that’s better for people and the planet, as part of the vital task of creating sustainable food and farming systems. The alliance brings together 46 national supporting organisations and partner networks, from health, environment, international development, animal welfare, producer, professional and faith interests (see full list: http://www.eating-better.org/about.html). 

(3)    For further information on why eating less meat is greener, healthier and fairer see here.

(4)    British Sandwich Week is run by the British Sandwich Association. According to the British Sandwich Association sales of sandwiches are booming with around 3.5 billion sold in the UK last year, and the market worth £7.25bn.

(5) Sustain is a founding member of Eating Better