*3.2. Fast-Food Combo Meals*

Table 2 presents the medians (interquartile range) for energy and nutrients per combo meal (serving for one person) as well as the median percent contributions of energy and nutrients (sodium, total sugar, saturated fat) to daily recommendations. Table S2 (Supplementary Material) presents, for each combo meal, the minimum and maximum values for energy and nutrient contents and for percent contributions of energy and nutrients to daily recommendations.

Overall, the median energy content of the combo meals/serving was 4381 kJ, meaning that 50% of the combo meals were contributing at least 50% of the average energy intake recommended for a NZ adult (8700 kJ). The combo meal categories with the highest median energy/serving and median energy contribution to daily recommended intake/serving were 'Burger(s), fries, dessert, SSB' (7531 kJ, 86.6%, respectively) and 'Burger(s), fries, dessert, ASB' (6463 kJ, 77.7%). The combo categories with the highest median energy/serving were those that contained more items and/or a dessert, and a sugary drink. The combo category with the lowest median energy/serving was 'Burger or chicken and fries' (2780 kJ, 32.0%). The combo categories with lower median energy were those constituted only by burger (or chicken) and fries and combos containing an ASB, sandwich or salad (Table 2).

Overall, the median sodium content of the meal combos was 1771.0 mg/serving, which corresponds to 88.6% of the maximum recommended daily sodium intake for adults (2000 mg) [24]. The meal combo categories with the highest median sodium/serving and highest median sodium contribution to daily maximum recommended intake/serving were 'Chicken, potato, fries, additional item, ASB (2852.7 mg, 142.6%, respectively), 'Chicken, potato, fries, additional item, SSB' (2830.2 mg, 141.5), 'Chicken, fries or potato, dessert, ASB' (2353.5 mg, 117.47%) and 'Chicken, fries or potato, dessert, SSB' (2339.5 mg, 117.0%). The meal combo category with the lowest median sodium/serving was 'Salad or wrap, smoothie' (398.0 mg, 19.9% of daily maximum recommended intake). The meal combos with lower median sodium/serving were those containing regular rather than large serving sizes, combos with fewer items such as 'burger, fries and drink' and 'chicken, fries and drink' and combos based on sandwiches, pizza, pies, salad, or wraps (Table 2). Overall, among all meal combos examined, 84.1% (n = 148) contributed 50% or more of the maximum daily recommended sodium intake (data not shown).

*Nutrients* **2021**, *13*, 4010 **Table 2.** NZ fast food supply 2020, by combo types: Median (interquartile ranges) for: energy, sodium sugar and saturated fat content by serving size and for percent energy, sodium, sugar and saturated fat contributions to recommended daily intakes.


Overall, the median total sugar content of the combo meals was 41.3 g/serving, corresponding to 81.0% of the maximum recommended intake of free sugar (51 g) [25]. Most (160/176) combos included a beverage option and those containing an SSB had the highest median total sugar per serving in relation to combos containing an ASB (Table 2). Overall, among all meal combos examined, one in three exceeded the WHO [25] maximum recommended intake of free sugars (data not shown).

Overall, the median saturated fat content of the combo meals was 10.6 g, corresponding to 46% of the maximum recommended intake (23 g) [24]. The combo meal categories with the highest median saturated fat/serving and median saturated contribution to daily maximum recommended intake/serving were 'Burger(s), fries, dessert, SSB/ASB' (both 19.1 g, 83.0%), 'Chicken, fries or potato, dessert, SSB/ASB' (both 17.3 g, 75.0%) and 'Breakfast, hot chocolate (17.3 g, 75.2%). The fast-food combo meal category with the lowest median saturated fat/ serving was 'Sandwich, chips, SSB/ASB' (both 4.1 g, 17.6%) (Table 2). Overall, among all meal combos examined, one in ten exceeded the maximum daily recommended intake [24] for saturated fat.
