FOOD at McDonald’s is higher in calories, sugar and salt than it was 30 years ago, despite its pledges to be healthier.

Fries, cheeseburgers and quarter-pounders all had more calories compared to a leaflet put out by the chain about its grub in 1989.

2 Levels of protein have fallen in most McDonald's burgers in the last 30 years Credit: Alamy

Sugar was up to three times higher in its burgers — including its Big Mac and Filet-O-Fish.

Meanwhile, levels of protein have fallen in most burgers and by a fifth in its chicken nuggets.

Professor Graham McGregor, of Action On Sugar, said: “These figures truly are shocking.

“At a time when the food industry should be making strides to reduce the amount of foods high in sugar, salt, saturated fat and calories, McDonald’s is clearly lagging behind.”

2 A McDonalds spokesman says 'For more than 30 years we have provided clear nutritional information at point of sale and on tray liners'

Our investigation comes in the week that health chiefs called on food firms and restaurants to cut calories by a fifth.

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A McDonald’s spokesman did not explain the increase in calories, salt or sugar.

But she said that almost 90 per cent of its standard food and drink items have fewer than 500 calories.

She added: “For more than 30 years we have provided clear nutritional information at point of sale and on tray liners.”