UK Restaurants Accused of Misleading Parents on Children's Meals

A recent study by the Soil Association has revealed that many popular UK restaurant chains mislead parents by serving ready-made and ultra-processed meals to children, rather than freshly prepared options. The research evaluated children's menus at chains like Bella Italia, Prezzo, and TGI Fridays, finding a dominance of unhealthy options, including excessively sugary desserts and problematic additives. Only Wahaca and Carluccio's offered meals prepared on-site with fresh ingredients, while JD Wetherspoon was praised for providing healthy meals at reasonable prices. The analysis highlighted that over 40% of protein options across the surveyed chains were ultra-processed and most fruit and vegetables were imported. Parents expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding meal quality, advocating for healthier, home-cooked alternatives. While some chains are criticized for their offerings, Wahaca was commended for its focus on fresh, responsibly-sourced ingredients.