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For many years we have, as fish friers, promoted to our customers that fish and chips are a relatively healthy meal. They are 100% natural, usually with no added colouring or preservatives. They contain less fat and fewer calories than other takeaways.
For some years friers have relied on data produced by Seafish that showed that fish and chips contained approx 170 Calories per 100 grams and just over 9% fat. It was also often interpreted that the average portion of Fish and Chips therefore contained 595 Calories, and this was used on many posters (including those reproduced by the NFFF). Some shop owners have even used this figure on their packaging. However, this would mean the portion size was just 350 grams (that's 12.4oz). Who actually gives an 8oz portion of chips and a 4.4oz fish (which would be under 4oz uncooked weight)??
Recently, some fish and chip shop owners have gone further by having their own product sent away for analysis. This can be done directly with many firms that offer this service (simply google Nutritional Testing), or through The Batter Company, an associate member of the NFFF. Results have been publicised on shops websites/face book pages and in local press showing a fat content as low as 6% - but this is for Fish, Chips and Peas, not just fish and chips alone. It is open to question if these are a normal size portion, or if they have been prepared in the normal way, or if the proportion of Fish, Chips and Peas in the meal was the norm (chips contain a lower percentage fat than battered fish and mushy peas are virtually fat free). Also, most of the shops publicising their results do not give the weight of the portion tested, rendering figures per 100 grams meaningless.
According to government figures the average male should consume 2500 calories and 95 grams of fat per day for a healthy diet. If a shop is serving an 12oz portion of chips, an 8oz piece of fish (raw weight – so it will be 9oz plus when cooked) and 7oz mushy peas as the meal, and it is 7% fat and 200 calories per 100g that makes the meal almost 800 grams. This means the meal contains 56 grams of fat and 1600 calories! There are many shops that serve far larger portions than this as well.
We need to be honest and clear about exactly what fat and calories the meals we sell contain. This means that portion sizes are as important and percentage fat and calories per 100g. The NFFF is going to be conducting its own research in the coming months, and having samples from the training school analysed. If you have had your fish and chips analysed we would love to see your results and know exactly how you did if. Of course we would be happy to keep your results confidential, or publicise then for you – whichever you wish.
Mark Drummond – NFFF Vice-President
Date : 13-01-2012
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