Delia Smith faces backlash

Delia Smith slammed for recipes containing too much salt

Delia Smith has come under fire for her new batch of 'cheat' recipes because they contain too much salt.

The TV chef has been accused of risking people's health with the recipes from her latest series, How To Cheat At Cooking, which recommend using processed ingredients, laced with salt, instead of fresh produce.

One recipe, 'carbonara real quick' is full of ready-cooked bacon and plenty of Pecorino Romano cheese and contains over 7g of salt per serving - above the adult recommended daily amount of 6g.

Scientists have criticised the TV series and accompanying book saying it is hampering their campaign to save 19,000 people each year from dying of heart attacks and strokes.

The figures for Delia's recipes came from campaign group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash), who are calling for broadcasters to promote healthy eating and give nutritional information for every recipe on TV.

Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of Cash, said: 'Delia Smith has been trusted by millions of people for years to provide easy, everyday recipes.

'It is a real pity she seems to be unaware of the dangers of eating too much salt.'