Junk food packet labels misleading | Study

New Delhi: A new study by the Centre for Science and Environment has found that at least 16 major food brands may label themselves as 'healthy' but are in fact not so. Most junk foods contain very high levels of trans fats, salts and sugar, leading to obesity and diabetes. This is something people well know. But what does one do when food companies label their food as healthy which are not in fact so? The Centre for Science and Environment found that misbranding and wrong labelling by junk food companies were misleading the consumers.

For instance, a child who eats one McDonald's Happy Meal finishes 90 per cent of all his daily requirement of trans fats. The packet of Happy Meal makes no mention of this massive dosage of trans fats. Top Ramen Super Noodles claims there is zero trans fats in every 100 grams, but the CSE study found 0.7 gram per 100 grams.

Similarly, Haldiram's Aloo Bhujia says it has no trans fats, but the study found 2.5 gram per 100 gram.

Trans fats are notorious for clogging arteries and making them narrow. Consumption of these so called fun foods have serious health implications especially for young children.

Anup Mishra of Fortis Hospital said, "kids will have a shorter lifespan, obesity n will suffer from that that.

According to the report the problem lies with poor labelling standards for Indian companies.

Sunita Narain of CSE said, "We need to change two things in law. One is that the companies are misbranding especially about trans fats. They are misusing trans fat branding. We need to change laws to hold companies responsible. We need laws to regulate sugar and salt in food."

So think twice before you reach out for a packet of instant noodles or aloo bhujia as it's a question of doing what is best for your heart.

Posted in: Life