**4. Discussion**

## *4.1. Summary of Findings*

For NZ fast-food products for which nutrition information could be sourced (30%), many product categories and meal combos were high in energy and sodium and within some categories many products were high in total sugar and saturated fat. For products with a relevant UK sodium target, almost half exceeded the target. Over 90% of sugar sweetened soft drinks available in NZ fast-food outlets would be liable for the UK soft industry drinks levy. Burgers in particular had a high energy, sodium and saturated fat content.

The meal combos usually replace one of three usual main meal occasions in a day. However, half of the combos examined provided at least 50% of the daily energy requirement and 89%, 81% and 46% of the maximum recommended intake for sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. There was a wide range of combo options, and some provided a choice of product options, particularly sides or drinks. Combos with fewer items or smaller burgers, no dessert and an ASB (rather than a sugary drink) provided less energy, sodium, and sugar. For example, the median sugar and energy of the 'chicken, fries and drink' combo category was 49.2 g and 4090 kJ when it contained a sugary drink but only 1.5 g and 3286 kJ when it contained an ASB. The options based on sandwiches/wraps also tended to have less energy and sodium although there were not many of these combos.
