No seed oil–free options available at Pret A Manger
I recently had a layover at London Heathrow Terminal 3 and was looking forward to having lunch at Pret A Manger. Because I avoid seed oils, I spoke with the manager, who was incredibly helpful and took the time to review ingredient information with me. What I discovered was genuinely shocking. Across what appeared to be more than 75 menu items - including sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, breakfast items, snacks, pots, and grab-and-go options - I could not find a single item that was free from seed oils. Nearly everything contained one or more of sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, and linseed oil. What surprised me most was finding these ingredients even in products that appear to be simple, healthy choices. For example, the Mango Coconut Chia Pot - a blend of mango, banana, coconut milk, turmeric, granola, pomegranate seeds, and coconut chips - contained three separate seed oils: sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, and linseed oil. Finding three seed oils in a fruit-and-chia pot was honestly mind-blowing and underscored just how pervasive these ingredients are throughout Pret's menu. As a customer seeking less processed food options, it was disappointing to discover that there wasn't a single choice available across the entire storefront that aligned with that preference. Whether customers choose to avoid seed oils for health, dietary, or personal reasons, it seems reasonable that a food retailer of Pret's size and reputation would offer at least a handful of alternatives. Pret has built its brand around fresh, convenient food, which is why this experience was so surprising. I would happily pay more for menu items prepared with olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, or butter rather than relying so heavily on seed oils throughout the menu. I recognize these ingredients may cost more, but many customers are increasingly willing to make that trade-off in exchange for higher-quality, less processed ingredients and greater transparency. My appreciation goes to the manager, who was patient, knowledgeable, and eager to help. My frustration is not with the staff, but with the menu itself. Given the growing consumer demand for simpler ingredients, it feels like a missed opportunity that Pret does not offer even a handful of seed-oil-free options. I hope the company reconsiders this approach in the future.