Parameters Tested
Fat/Oil Content - Lab Result (%) (in 100 Grams)
Fat/oil is an essential part of our diet, being a main source of energy. However, when eaten in large amounts, all fats, including healthy fats, can contribute to weight gain.
On the labels, American Garden declared soya bean and/or canola oil, Fun Foods refined soya bean oil, and Cremica and Del Monte vegetable oil. Cremica and Delmonte did not specify the type of oil used, which means they are not transparent in declaration.
Fat/Oil Content - Label Claim (%) (in 100 Grams)
In all brands oil percentage was found to be less than the label claim.
Saturated fat (fatty acids)
Eating greater amounts of saturated fat (saturated fatty acids) is linked with an increased risk of heart disease and high blood cholesterol levels. So, lower is better for consumers.
Unsaturated fats (fatty acids)
There are two main types of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. These fats help reduce the risk of heart disease and also lower cholesterol levels. So, higher is better for consumers.
Trans fat (trans-fatty acids)
Trans fat raises our bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat/oil in our blood. It is both friend and foe. It is an essential substance for the body’s normal functioning, but if levels in the blood get too high, it becomes a silent danger that puts us at risk of a heart attack.
Cholesterol is two types:
i) low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, and
ii) highdensity lipoprotein (HDL), also known as ‘good’ cholesterol.
Marking
The following information shall be clearly and indelibly marked on the label of each container/ packet as per Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations and Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules:
Bacterial Contamination
Bacterial contamination is a serious issue for all food products. We conducted tests for total plate count (TPC) and Salmonella.
Total Plate Count (TPC)
Total plate count is the amount of viable bacteria in a food product and serves as a key indicator of the product’s overall quality and safety.
Salmonella
Salmonella, the name of a group of bacteria, is one of the most common causes of food poisoning.
Customer-Care Details
As per Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, every package shall bear the name, address, telephone number, and email address, if available, of the person who can be – or the office that can be – contacted in case of consumer complaints.