SCIENTISTS in Lancashire have investigated whether we are getting value for money on food amid the credit crunch.

And the county analysts for Lancashire Trading Standards said their tests found imported lamb products contained illegal levels of water.

The local authority tested a range of different foods, and found lamb with four times the legal levels of added water.

An LCC spokesman said: “As rising fuel and food costs put pressure on Lancashire people’s pockets, trading standards and the county analysts service have been working hard to ensure food on plates around the county is what it says on the packaging.”

County analysts, led by chief trading standards officer Jim Potts, said New Zealand lamb mince had more than 21 per cent of added water that had not been declared on the labelling.

Legislation allows a tolerance of five per cent for added water, but results from 10 tested packets varied from 9.3 per cent to 21.2 per cent added water.

Tinned plum tomatoes were also surveyed and cheaper brands offered better value for money.

Supermarket value brands offered around 5g of tomato per penny, with tins costing 19p. Aldi came out top for tomato content and value, with a 19p tin containing 7g of tomato per penny.

A tomato ketchup analysis found more tomato in cheaper brands, with Tesco Value, Sainsburys Basics and Maple Leaf (B&M Bargains) making up the top three.

An LCC spokesman added: “Repeat testing is also being considered for the future, to ensure that changes have been made.

“The tests revealed some surprising results which give an insight into how to get the best value for money in a variety of different foods and some best value products have been identified.”