New Delhi: Most of us love to consume ready-to-eat packaged foods. In fact, our parties seem incomplete without a bowl of chicken nuggets, french fries or maybe ready-to-eat burgers. Although we love munching on these delicacies, we seldom realize the harm they might be causing to our bodies. Additionally, we rarely check the back of the food packet before we buy these from the markets.
It's true that not all packaged food items are unhealthy, but some of them may have no positive effects on health. Instead, they can contribute to weight gain, raise the risk of heart disease and hypertension, and can also result in lifestyle disorders. It is generally advisable to read and comprehend the food labels before purchasing any kind of packaged food item.
In this regard, ABP Live sought the opinion of experts who explained what exactly should one see behind a packet of such ready-to-eat food items before purchasing them.
Sheetal Bhalerao, who is the chairperson and MD at Wardwizard Foods and Beverages Ltd shared, "It is important to check the product's packaging for information on the manufacturing date, expiry date, and storage instructions. For products that have a long shelf life, customers should check for retort packaging of the products."
She then explained what retort packaging is, saying, "Retort packaging sterilises the product, allowing it to remain stable for longer periods of time and eliminate any food-borne microorganisms. This is important as it preserves the true taste of the products even when stored at room temperature."
She also mentioned, "While purchasing vegetable-based and dairy-based ready-to-eat products, consumers should check whether effective pasteurization technologies have been employed for their production as it helps in maintaining the nutritional value of the food. One should also look for any certifications or accreditations that the product may have received from regulatory bodies or industry associations."
"Additionally, customers should be mindful of any allergens or dietary restrictions they may have and carefully read the ingredient list and nutritional information provided on the packaging. Products that have a clear ‘No added preservatives’ label are safer to consume because, they use only fresh, natural and wholesome ingredients to create authentic delicacies.", she concluded.
In addition to it, Chanchal Datta, who is the Corporate Chef at Somewhere Restaurant & Bar, Connaught Place, Delhi, shared that when there was a universal domestic way of storing frozen food, companies saw the commercial opportunities associated with the ready-to-eat food. But with ready-to-eat foods, people at times skip their natural meals and compromise their health.
Listed below are some of the reasons why the chef says, ready-to-eat food items may be harmful:
1. They are full of chemical preservatives that keep them fresh and make them convenience foods.
2. They are full of salt, which isn't good for anyone if not moderated.
3. As per health studies, they contribute to health conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure, and kidney and liver problems.
He further said, "Keep an eye out for dented, swollen or leaking cans, cracked or dirty eggs, soiled products, damaged or improperly packed products and also keep away from saturated fats and high sugar and salt."
There is so much on the shelves of the supermarket that we often get confused about what to buy and what to leave. We trust and rely so much on a brand, that we hardly pay attention to what actually is inside the package.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), lays down science-based standards for food articles and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. However, it is very important that consumers learn how to interpret the food labels of packaged food in order to understand what they are eating. Eating right is not just about making your calories count but also acquiring the essential nutrients in optimal amounts for good health.
In this regard, Dr. Meghana Pasi, who is a nutrition consultant, at Mythali, Arogya World shared what to look for while purchasing packaged food.
- List of Ingredients: Food materials are listed in the order of their quantity- from highest to lowest amount of their presence in the food. Also, check the ingredient list for any allergens you need to avoid.
- Decode the Nutrient Facts Table: While doing this, one needs to make sure the following:
- Number of servings and amount per serving
- Total calories obtained from that serving
- Total calories obtained from fats- the lesser the better.
- Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium should not be more than 5% of your Daily Allowance.
- The nutrients highlighted in green are healthy (fibre, Vit A, C, Calcium, Iron). The higher the % of Daily Values the better for health.
This will help those who live with health conditions and require diet changes. For eg. someone with kidney disease who needs to monitor his sodium, or someone with diabetes counting his carbs can read the label and know whether a certain food can fit in their diet or not. If someone is overweight, comparing the calorie content of various options will allow them to choose a low-calorie, nutritious food to stay within their daily calorie goals.
She also suggested that we should avoid food items with chemical preservatives and unnatural additives, artificial flavours and colours while opting for low-fat, zero trans-fat, no sugar, low or reduced-sodium, or no-salt-added foods.