A CASH (Consensus Action on Salt and Health) survey on the levels of salt in cheese is an incomplete picture, according to the Dairy Council.

Dr Judith Bryans, director of the council, said: “This survey tells us a lot of what is already known - that different types of cheese contains different levels of salt.

“Some are lower and some are slightly higher. But it’s wrong to draw the health conclusions that CASH do. The CASH survey is mixing up the effect of cheese on health with the effect of salt on health.

“Cheese is a whole food with a complex nutritional make up which has not been shown to cause heart disease or stroke.

“The National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows that cheese contributes only four per cent of the nation's salt intake. Salt is an integral part of the cheese making process. It is not added for taste or flavour but for safety and technical reasons.

“In actual fact cheese manufacturers have worked very hard to reduce salt levels in their products and worked constructively and positively with government agencies to do this whilst producing products which are nutritious, safe and acceptable to the consumer.

“We do not think it is constructive to send out a message that a cheese sandwich is not good for you. Cheese provides a wide range of nutrients including protein, vitamins and important minerals such as calcium.

“To reduce cheese to its salt content is not acceptable.

People have been eating cheese sandwiches and being nourished by them for many years.”