Study reveals 'shocking' kebabs

[On_the_up]

Doner kebabs sold in the UK contain "shocking" levels of salt, fat and calories, a survey has concluded.

Officers from 76 councils sampled 494 kebabs to test their nutritional value, during the Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services (Lacors) study.

The average doner they tested contained almost 1,000 calories - half a woman's recommended daily intake.

Geoffrey Theobald, of Lacors, said: "The level of saturated fat and salt in some is a serious cause for concern."

He added that while they "would never consider kebabs part of a calorie-controlled diet" the true content of the average kebab was worrying.

Among the kebabs sampled - without salad or sauces - the average doner contained 98% of an adult's recommended daily salt and 148% of their daily saturated fat allowance.

Under the supermarket "traffic lights" system, red marks would be earned by 97% for fat, 98% for saturated fat and 96% for salt.

Some 35% of labels listed a different meat species than that actually found in the kebab.

This study has turned the spotlight on doner kebabs
Geoffrey Theobald
Lacors

How unhealthy is a doner?

Six kebabs were found to include pork when it had not been declared as an ingredient. Two of the six were described as Halal - food or drink permitted for Muslims, which must not contain pork.

Mr Theobald said it was "totally unacceptable" that people that with certain faiths were unknowingly eating meats that were against their beliefs.

The worst doners inspectors came across contained 1,990 calories before salad and sauces - over 95% of a woman's recommended daily calories, 346% of a woman's saturated fat intake and 277% of an adult's daily salt intake.

Size matters

Researchers uncovered significant regional variations, with the average kebab in the north-west of England containing 1,101 calories, compared with 1,084 in Scotland, 1,055 in Wales and 1,066 in England's south-east.

Northern Ireland's average of 843 was the lowest in the UK.

Mr Theobald said it was "totally unacceptable" that inaccurate labelling was so widespread.

In addition, there was little difference in weight between kebabs labelled as "small" and "large", he added.

"While some people may think they are making sensible choices by ordering a small kebab, this study showed little difference between small and large kebab weight."

He said with obesity rates rising so rapidly in the UK, portion size was as important as content, he said.

"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," Mr Theobald said.

Research by the UK's Food Standards Agency in 2006 found that 18.5% of doner takeaways posed a "significant" threat to public health, and 0.8% posed an "imminent" threat.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7852168.stm

[rhussain33]

Man i like these donor kebabs, small amounts with chicken and chips or with naan and salad and chilli sauce are well nice.

How do i make sure im getting some quality stuff, what brands do i need to look out for.

[On_the_up]

Originally Posted by rhussain33 Man i like these donor kebabs, small amounts with chicken and chips or with naan and salad and chilli sauce are well nice. How do i make sure im getting some quality stuff, what brands do i need to look out for.

Brands? I don't know what the answer is here other than try to get the source of the meat from the kebab shop and doing your own research.

[Oxy]

Why is this shocking? Its common knowledge that Doner Kebabs are basically waste meat products - the stuff the meat shops throw away, joined together with copious amounts of fat to bind them together.

The fact that they have found pork content is the real worry - its not the first time, and Im sure it wont be the last.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Oxy Why is this shocking? Its common knowledge that Doner Kebabs are basically waste meat products - the stuff the meat shops throw away, joined together with copious amounts of fat to bind them together. The fact that they have found pork content is the real worry - its not the first time, and Im sure it wont be the last.

And now how do you know who to trust and who not to trust? Which Donner is halal is which isn't?

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Raz And now how do you know who to trust and who not to trust? Which Donner is halal is which isn't?

Well if a Muslim retailer says its HALAL - then you should take their word for it otherwise you are questioning his sincerity - which is a bit risky I think.

However, you should feel free to question them on their quality etc - if the shop is disgustingly filthy - would you want to buy from them, however big their halal sign & certificate is?

Major problem (in UK) is that the 'HALAL' stamp is automatically assumed to be 'pure, high quality, humanely produced' etc

In reality, producers of so much halal meat & products take MASSIVE short-cuts in the manufacturing of HALAL food - and it is really sub-standard

I know the HFA are involved - and their stamp of authenticity is a start

On a local level, might be worth checking out The Muslim Directory 2009 for a list of suppliers who advertise in the directory - they are less likely to risk bad publicity by selling you food not fit for (Muslim) consumption.

My advice re: Doner Kebabs in UK - think about the target market - drunk people during the nights. Most likely to be vomit out most of the contents after eating.

It may be halal - but it aint good.

I have a DK abvout 3-4 times a year - bought from a takeawy that I can trust...frequented by lots of Muslims, so he gets his kebabs made with a higher meat content etcknowing that local Muslims will also want to buy.

If you live in places like Birmingham, I feel sorry for you - you guys have the WORST 'halal' meat avaialble to you

[kingusama92]

Wow sad that they are serving haram meat like that. It really gets you second guessing whenever you hear a restaurant person tell you their food is halal.

Anyways wow that's a lot of calories and salt... my goodness...

[Lightning]

Yuk. I feel sick reading about the high levels of sat fat, sodium and cals. And then Pork. LOL

[aashiqmizaaj]

I remember visiting London a while back and walking into a Middle-Eastern restaurant with my cousins who are living in London. I said I wanted to confirm that what they served was halaal and they thought it odd that I would want to given that it's a Middle-Eastern restaurant - afterall what else could they possibly serve.

In any case I asked the guy if the meat was halaal and I'm quoting his answer, he said "Insha'Allah" to which I responded, "what's that supposed to mean" - He shrugged his shoulders, we all left to another restaurant.

[majid_hussain]

Originally Posted by LightSpeedGT Yuk. I feel sick reading about the high levels of sat fat, sodium and cals. And then Pork. LOL

Its a conundrum isint it !! If I am eating those Kababs should I be worried about it being halal or worried about eating unhealthy food.

It would be great if the food were halal but my choice would be healthy food over halal food.

To think of it growing in Hyderabad, we never thought of Halal or non-halal food, (ofcourse pork is a strict no -no) but I have realized that my muslim friends and cousins who have left India for UK or US have become particular about halal food.I heard similar stories from my Pak cousins.I guess we (living abroad) make a huge thing about Halal -or non Halal while the 'real muslims' (in streets and villages) dont take it to heart.

Healthy food for me over halal (if non-pork).Combination would be great though.


P.S : Utlity of Muslims not eating Pork and Hindu's beef(or other non-veg) is a whole discussion altogether.

[12thMan]

Growing up in Pakistan, you have no issue with Halal because it is assumed the meat is halal. Do you ever see a sign that says Halal meat in Pakistan? The same people will be not worried when in UAE probably. Outside they check. I am sure people in villages are not hunting pigs to eat.

something sounds familiar

[McBoom]

Originally Posted by 12thMan something sounds familiar

What could it be?

[aashiqmizaaj]

Healthy food for me over halal (if non-pork).Combination would be great though.

[Lay mullah sermon mode on]
And therein lies the irony. Healthy food, prepared in a non-halal way is still not halal meaning it is not allowed. To each their own but don't start eating non-halal food owing to an excuse that it's 'healthier'. Find the alternative halal healthy option.

Above all, eat to live, not live to eat. Control your stomach so that you can pull back your hand from food that is non-halal and not healthy period.

[Lay mullah sermon mode off]

[Mohsin]

Can't people live without a kebab or any other kind of 'gunk'?!
I telling the truth 100% when i say i've never had a 'kebab' from a shop. It either homemade proper kebabs or nothing!

[majid_hussain]

Originally Posted by aashiqmizaaj [Lay mullah sermon mode on] And therein lies the irony. Healthy food, prepared in a non-halal way is still not halal meaning it is not allowed. To each their own but don't start eating non-halal food owing to an excuse that it's 'healthier'. Find the alternative halal healthy option. Above all, eat to live, not live to eat. Control your stomach so that you can pull back your hand from food that is non-halal and not healthy period. [Lay mullah sermon mode off]

Nah man !! Too difficult to follow. I lead a very hectic life where I am always on the go ..I travel a lot with a lot of Business dinners/lunches and its possible to butt my choices on others ...

Simple premise for me "do good to others and Allah will overlook my transgressions on minor things like eating halal food".

(hope I am right :-) )

[aashiqmizaaj]

Simple premise for me "do good to others and Allah will overlook my transgressions on minor things like eating halal food".

And in this simple premise, where do you think Allah designated eating halal food as minor?

hope I am right

Instead of hoping you could simply do.

Nah man !! Too difficult to follow. I lead a very hectic life where I am always on the go ..I travel a lot with a lot of Business dinners/lunches and its possible to butt my choices on others

Why worry about imposing on others? Just eat what you can eat and let the others eat whatever they want except that in your case, try to eat halal - there's plenty you can eat too so no excuses. A simple pasta dish without any meat or grilled fish, vegetarian options are all over place.

I too have a lot of business dinners/lunches and so far so good. I'm sure you can do it too. In any case, take it as brotherly advice. In the end you are free to do what pleases you.

[The Blazer]

Simple answer. Don't eat them.

[SameerM]

imagine

eat it small amounts

[Saqlain_doosra]

Originally Posted by Raz And now how do you know who to trust and who not to trust? Which Donner is halal is which isn't?

My local shop guy told me he gets it made special and is happy to show me the detials of it. He also gets HMC approved chicken and it taste great with excellent price. I asked him about donner having 5% pork and he said "no, its between 15-20% pork for taste purpose. We get our made special from coventry".

[Saqlain_doosra]

I went from 59 kg to 74 couple of years ago in matter of months because of donner. I am starting to keep away from donner because of breathing problems.

[the SHA]

Once during Ramadan, I was looking for somewhere to break my fast, so I quickly went into a Muslim owned "Halal" Doner kebab shop. I said my Salaams to the brother behind the till and told him I was in need of a good chicken kebab roll to break my fast.

I will never forget the momentary pause and look on his face when he hesitantly replied "Err no brother why dont you have some chips please please". The next thing I know I was persuaded to take away a portion of chips instead of my order and break my fast.

Although I never ate there again, it did prove to me that there is at least have some conscience amongst dishonest Muslim kebab vendors - selling Haraam meat to someone breaking their fast may be just one barrier too low in the sight of God!

[kingusama92]

Originally Posted by the SHA Once during Ramadan, I was looking for somewhere to break my fast, so I quickly went into a Muslim owned "Halal" Doner kebab shop. I said my Salaams to the brother behind the till and told him I was in need of a good chicken kebab roll to break my fast. I will never forget the momentary pause and look on his face when he hesitantly replied "Err no brother why dont you have some chips please please". The next thing I know I was persuaded to take away a portion of chips instead of my order and break my fast. Although I never ate there again, it did prove to me that there is at least have some conscience amongst dishonest Muslim kebab vendors - selling Haraam meat to someone breaking their fast may be just one barrier too low in the sight of God!

lol I don't even know why he would bother to say that to you?? If they feel so bad about it they shouldn't sell it.

[the SHA]

If they feel so bad about it they shouldn't sell it.

Bro read my post carefully again, it was Ramadan - we all become better Muslims in this month!!! (may Allah protect us)

[00_Zed]

Stick to a chicken tikka kebab or a lamb kebab > at least that way you are getting meat that is more identifiable as "meat" rather than the meat waste which goes into donner kebabs.

Chicken and lamb kebabs are likely to be significantly healthier and more likely to be halal as they are not going to be a pork flavoured, waste meat and sat fat combo.

Of course, one could still not guarantee that the chicken and lamb is halal but any comeuppance on that score would be between the kebab shop owner and Allah.

[Lethal]

Donner kebab has traces of pork. So please be careful and don't eat it even if it says Halal because it may not be Halal. It was recently tested in the UK. Please let all Muslim brothers and sister's know.

Here is the article.

It is fair to say that most people ordering one are not overly concerned with making sound nutritional choices.

And that might be just as well, for a survey yesterday revealed the grim truth about the sky-high fat content of many kebabs.

A particularly large and greasy specimen could provide 2,000 calories - as many as a woman should eat in a whole day.



Unhealthy: A survey has revealed that doner kebabs can contain 2,000 calories

Unhealthy: A survey has revealed that doner kebabs can contain 2,000 calories

The survey also found that more than one in three kebabs contained meat from several different species of animal.

Some kebabs sold as Halal - suitable for Muslims - were even found to contain pork, which is banned by the faith.

The thought of a red-grey slab of meat turning on a spit, heated by what looks like the bar of an electric fire, is perhaps not the most appetising of sights.

Yet feasting on a doner has become something of a treat for millions of Britons, particularly after the pubs shut on a Friday and Saturday night.

However, a survey of 76 councils across the country, which tested 490 kebabs, revealed that many contained worryingly large amounts of fat and salt, even before
the addition of mayonnaise and other extras.



Researchers found that the average kebab provided 98 per cent of the daily salt quota for an adult.

A typical example also contained nearly 1,000 calories, which is half the daily recommended maximum for women, and 148 per cent of the daily saturated fat limit.

Some 35 per cent of those kebabs which were labelled contained meat from several types of animal.

Alarmingly, six kebabs tested positive for pork when it was not declared as an ingredient. Two of these were described as Halal.

The survey was co-ordinated by the local council body, LACORS.

Its chairman, councillor 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.

'While some people may think they are making sensible choices by ordering a small kebab, this study showed little difference between small and large kebab weight.'

Mr Theobald added: 'It is totally unacceptable that people with certain faiths are unknowingly eating meats that are against their beliefs.'

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1129309

[dblock]

I remember a story a few years ago saying that even halal Chicken contained pork after analysis as a result of farmers pumping Chickens with all types of hormonal and other content.

Not sure if it was true or not.

[Lethal]

Originally Posted by dblock I remember a story a few years ago saying that even halal Chicken contained pork after analysis as a result of farmers pumping Chickens with all types of hormonal and other content. Not sure if it was true or not.

Partly true because I know a guy who is part of a organisation that is doing it's fair bit about trying to sort the issue regarding Asian chippes or restaurants saying that they are Halal but are in fact buying stunned chickens that have been given stuff to beef them up. It's a big issue. I used to go the a lot of places to eat out. Now I rarely go because i don't trust them. I only buy from chippies or restaurants that have a HMC certificate or are in association with HMC. Now that is rare.

I'm glad I don't eat donner meat.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by dblock I remember a story a few years ago saying that even halal Chicken contained pork after analysis as a result of farmers pumping Chickens with all types of hormonal and other content. Not sure if it was true or not.

Heres the answer to that....

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/sh...hlight=holland

[Lethal]

My bad, it's already got it's own thread.