Labels on packaged foods may not always carry totally correct information, finds
Saheli Mitra

Do you know that a packet of instant noodles has over 60 per cent of your recommended daily salt intake or that a Happy Meal contains 90 per cent of your child's daily requirement of trans fats? Consumers are usually unaware of such facts since most companies in India don't bother to put such information on their labels. But a consumer has the right to know all these facts so that he or she can make an informed choice.

Amritsar: New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) releasing negative results in March after testing 16 major food brands, including Nestle's Maggi noodles, McDonald's, KFC, Haldiram's aloo bhujia and PepsiCo's Lays potato chips, has not resulted in any decline in the footfall at junk food outlets nor there is any impact on the sale of food products in the city.

The CSE in its study had claimed these products of these brands contain high level of harmful trans-fats, salts and sugar, which can lead to diseases like obesity and diabetes.

Doctors attribute the growing cases of obesity to a sedentary lifestyle and intake of high calorie processed food. On World Health Day (April 7), doctors stressed on incorporating simple tips in one's daily lifestyle in order to keep various ailments related to obesity at bay. Obesity is a growing problem in India owing to the sedentary lives that people lead. Plus, the problem is compounded as most of the people who suffer from it are in the age group of 20-40 years.

Ahmedabad: Cold treats seem to be a hit with Amdavadis. The city consumes more ice-cream than bigger cities like Mumbai and Pune, says a report by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham). The report says almost 35% of ice-cream sold in India is savoured by the western region — Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Goa. And, Ahmedabad tops the list in the region. The group’s report takes into account countrywide consumption between April and December 2011.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which took up cudgels against the health hazards due to junk food has hailed the UP governments decision to put an immediate ban on its sale within the premises and outside ICSE, CBSE and UP Board schools. “It is a significant and laudable step towards protecting our children from future health impairments,” pointed Director of CSE Sunita Narain while hailing the UP government’s decision to ban the sale of junk food and carbonated soft drinks on the school campuses and outside.

Did you ever ask for the vital statistics of a samosa? According to Delhi-based nutritionist Aditi Mehrotra, a medium-sized one has 250 calories, 30 gms of carbohydrates, 13.2 fats and just five grams of proteins. The samosa lives a busy life messing up our nutritional balance, yet, like other delicious-but-dangerous foods such as papad parantha, malai-maska bun, bread pakora, dhabeli sandwich or vada pav, it is seldom brought to book in a case against junk foods.

Fast-food chains McDonald’s and KFC, and packaged food brands like Lay’s chips and Maggi noodles reported normal sales this weekend, despite a study on Friday alleging high levels of trans-fat, sugar and salts in their food on Friday. Analysts say it is natural for consumers of chips, burgers and noodles to ignore Centre for Science and Environment’s warning because they know what they are getting into when they consume chips and fast food.

Forget the sales pitch on the box and read the fine print. Is the promised 'low-fat' low enough, the 'multigrain' whole or refined?
Sugar-free’ cream cookies, ‘wholegrain’ cereal bars, ‘all-natural’ fruit juice: it’s hard to ignore the screaming labels on superstore shelves, but can you take them at face value? Usually not, experts say.

Raja Ramanna Centre of Advanced Technology ( RRCAT) has developed electronic beams for preservation of vegetables and fruits for longer period.
Soon, an electronic radiation centre would be set up in Choithram Mandi as part of the pilot project.

This information was given by RRCAT Director Dr P D Gupta on the sidelines of institutes Foundation Day celebration, on Sunday.
'Through electronic beams, vendors can increase shelf life of vegetables and fruits,'he said.