Just how healthy are the 'healthy' brands offered by supermarkets

A.� Food retailers have been quick to pick up on consumers' desire for healthy eating - and convenience and are trying to attract health-conscious shoppers with their own healthy eating ranges. The term 'healthy eating' has no strict definition, so each supermarket can develop its own criteria. Nutrionists have warned some convenience meals contain large amounts of salt and fat.

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Q.� So which ones are really healthy

A.� Asda launched its Good For You range in June 2000. It is described as: "A healthy eating range designed to offer a complete solution to those looking to eat more healthily without compromising on taste, or punishing the pocket." Its range has over 250 products, from sandwiches to cakes and biscuits. Products in the range must meet certain criteria, for instance, contain less than five per cent fat, less than three per cent saturated fat, and not more than 20 per cent total sugar.

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The Co-op has had its Healthy Living range since September 1999. It promises;" A comprehensive healthy eating range including sandwiches, soups, vegetable and meat lasagnes, cereals, dairy products and desserts". It has various guidelines, including fresh meat which has to meet specific fat targets and poultry has to be skinless.

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Iceland has a Good Choice range, launched this month.

It promises: "Healthy eating range created to help people eat more healthily, with the convenience and value of freezer essentials." There are 30 products in the range, from pizza to chips and desserts. Iceland uses benchmarks specified in the Food Labelling Regulations specific to the product, also the sodium content, generally high in processed foods, has been approved by the Consensus Action of Salt and Hypertension.

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Marks & Spencers launched its Count On Us range in January 2000. It's "a range of low-fat and calorie-controlled foods, aimed at people who love their food but want to lose a little weight. There are over 200 products, promising controlled sodium, less than three per cent fat, and freedom from fat replacers. There are nutritional benchmarks in place on fat, salt, calories and portion size.

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Safeway has Eat Smart, created this month. This promises: "A healthy eating range made from the highest quality ingredients" Again, there are specific guidelines on controlled sodium, artifical colours, calorie-controlled foods such as sandwiches - less than 300 kcals; main meals less than 400kcals; desserts less than 150kcals.

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Sainsbury's has a Be Good To Yourself product range. The supermarket pledges: "A range to inspire people to choose lower-fat options without compromising on taste." Products qualify on guidelines such as where there is an existing line, the Be Good To Yourself alternative must have at least 20 per cent less fat and a fat reduction of 5g per 100g.

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Somerfield has a Good Intentions range. It is marked as a "range of lower-fat foods especially created to help as part of a calorie-controlled diet". Products must contain less than five per cent fat and it's specifically aimed at people who want to eat less fat.

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Tesco was one of the first supermarkets to tap this end of the market, and created Healthy Eating in 1985. It's "A low-fat healthy eating option". There is now a comprehensive range covering all occasions. The products must be less than three per cent fat, no added sugar and must be low on salt.

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Waitrose launched Perfectly Balanced in 2001. It's "a healthy eating range including fresh, frozen and chilled products". It's a general healthy eating range and products have to meet a set of nutritional criteria. It's calorie-counted with no added flavour enhancers, and only essential additivies are used.

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by Katharine MacColl