January 20/Irish Examiner -- Which? found consumers could be better off eating deep pan, stuffed crust or frozen pizzas rather than choosing the so-called "healthier" thin-based or fresh options.

Experts for the consumer group analyzed 162 cheese and tomato and pepperoni pizzas available in major supermarkets and takeaway chains, finding that frozen pizzas tended to be healthier than fresh versions.

They found thin pizzas could be higher in fat and saturates than deep pan and stuffed crust pizzas, with Tesco's Italian Romana Margherita with an "ultra thin" base containing twice as much fat and saturates per 100g as its Trattoria Verdi Deep Pan Cheese pizza.

However, supermarket pizzas were not always healthier than those from takeaway chains, with Chicago Town Edge To Edge Thin And Crispy California Cheese containing more fat and saturates gram for gram than any of the cheese and tomato options, including those from Domino's and Pizza Hut.

Which? also found an "enormous" range of portion sizes and different front-of-pack nutrition labeling schemes.

Which? chief Peter Vicary-Smith said, "You can't expect people to stand poring over pizza labels in the supermarket to see which one has more fat or salt in it.

"We want clear, front-of-pack labelling and consistent portion sizes so people can easily compare like with like."  

From the January 21, 2011, Prepared Foods' Daily News
For more of the latest news from the food and beverage industry, visit Prepared Foods' Daily News