Latest from our Food Blog
All About Paneer: how to make paneer, nutrition facts and how to buy and store paneer
Paneer is a byproduct obtained from milk by precipitation with sour milk, lactic acid, or citric acid. In simple terms, paneer is an indigenous milk product prepared by the combined action of acid coagulation and heat treatment of milk and the subsequent drainage of whey.
How
Know About Cold-pressed Juices, Oils and other Food Products
Are these healthier, superior, etc., these cold-pressed vegetable and fruit juices, cold-pressed oil, cold-pressed seed powders and other things that claim to be cold-pressed? The thing is, these are relatively expensive too and it is but natural that someone consuming these will want to be sure that the claims and price
Rancidity: Effects on health and tips to avoid rancidity
Ever wondered why the walnuts taste bitter only a few days after buying them? Do you ever wonder why the bag of potato chips has more air than the amount of chips in it? The bitter taste in the walnuts is due to a bio chemical process ‘
What is Rice Bran Oil?
Rice bran oil (also known as rice bran extract) is the oil extracted from the germ and inner husk of rice. It is notable for its high smoke point. Its mild flavour makes it suitable for high-temperature cooking methods such as stir frying and deep frying. It is
WHO releases REPLACE programme to eliminate industrially-produced trans-fat acids from food supply
World Health Organization (WHO) has released REPLACE, a step-by-step guide for the elimination of industrially produced trans-fatty acids from the global food supply. WHO has estimated that every single year trans-fat intake leads to more than 500,000 deaths of people from cardiovascular disease. Eliminating trans-fat is key to
What are cornflakes? How are they made?
Cornflakes are the product obtained from de hulled, degermed and cooked corn (Zea mays L.) by flaking partially drying and toasting. It shall be in the form of crisp flakes of reasonably uniform size and golden brown in colour.
The milling process removes the corn kernels from the
Raw fruit and vegetables beneficial for mental health
Raw fruits and vegetables may be better for your mental health than cooked ones, according to a new study from the University of Otago in New Zealand. The study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, found that people who ate more uncooked produce had lower levels of symptoms related
Artificial sweeteners can still lead to obesity and diabetes, study claims
A new study from the Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University links artificial sweeteners to obesity and diabetes, claiming sweeteners change how the body processes fat and uses energy.
Researchers fed groups of rats diets high in sugar or artificial sweeteners including aspartame and acesulfame potassium. After
Learn Facts About Coffee
In this article, we will reveal things about coffee which you may or may not already know. It’s an interesting mix of information from types of coffee to how coffee beans are cultivated.
What is coffee?
Coffee is a beverage served hot or with
Everything you need to know about packaged milk
Every one of us are using packaged based products on a day to day basis. But the fact is that most of us do NOT know what is Tetra Pack or any packaged products for that matter. This is the complete guide on packaged
Guidelines of Dietary Salt for Indians by WHO and National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad
Declaration of salt or sodium is not mandatory. This is despite the recommendation of Codex Alimentarius Commission – a joint intergovernmental body of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) with over 185 member states –
Food Advertisements complaints reported on Advertising Standard Council of India ( ASCI) portal
Did you know a consumer can complain against a misguiding food advertisement? Yes, this is possible. A misleading food advertisement that promotes unhealthy eating could be called off across all media channels. It is important that consumers report their views which can be easily done on the Advertising
Most Common Food Adulterants and Harmful Effects Of Food Adulteration
Whether it’s adulterated olive oil, ash in pepper, chalk in flour, or diluted coffee beans, food adulteration is increasingly a reality of our lives. In fact, commonly consumed food items such as dal, rice, spices, oil, butter and ghee are often targeted by fraudsters. Consumption of such food
Food Adulteration Tests
There are some very simple food adulteration tests that can be conducted at home to know if the food is adulterated or pure. The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has issued a document – titled DART, which stands for ‘Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test’ –
Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 and Food Safety and Standards Act 2006
Food is our basic necessity for sustenance of life. Pure, fresh and healthy meals are most essential for our bodies. However, when quality of food is lowered either by addition of inferior quality material or by extraction of valuable ingredient is known as food adulteration. In India, adulteration
Health Benefits of Curd
Curd is full of calcium, vitamin D, protein and healthy gut bacteria. There is no doubt that curd is full of nutrition and will benefit you if you include it in your daily diet. Consider these benefits:
a) Strong Bones and Teeth: Curd
Fresh Fruit Juice vs Packaged juice
Let’s get to know some facts about fruit juices first:
In pure (100%) juices, added sugar is not permitted; in beverages/drinks it is permitted.
A large part of the sugar found in fruit juice is fructose. The liver is the only organ
Loving foods that love you back
Nutrition and health are much talked-about subjects but do we really make rational consumption choices in our everyday lives? Here are some foods that will do you good, and others that will make you overdraw on your body’s energy reserves
Ever really taken a
9 ways to eat healthier right now
Food marketers and fitness proponents, both are cashing in on the consumer anxiety and fetish with health. Yet, junk foods and several other foods with no nutrition are hogging shelf space in markets. From the health and environmental perspectives, there are foods that one
Is Soya Healthy?
Marketed as a super food with almost magical properties, soya protein is found in almost everything we eat. However, soya needs to be consumed with abundant caution
Soya has been touted as one of the wonder foods of the 20th and 21st century. The
Wasting all that food
Think.Eat.Save. The people behind World Environment Day this year have most certainly deliberately left out the spaces between the words. Perhaps so that we make the connection between our food choices and the larger impacts of these choices—and realize that the connection is too
A little science in the kitchen
How to make food—specially fresh produce—last long enough to be used up
Did you know that storing cabbage, cucumbers, and leafy vegetables alongside tomatoes and apples causes the greens to decay? This is because some foods are great ethylene-producers and quickly spoil other foods
Chemical Cuisine
There is enough evidence to suggest that food additives and artificial colours cause harm to health and children are the worst-affected. In several countries, the use of food colours like ‘Sunset Yellow’ is either banned or regulated. But not so in India
We have
Chemicals in your breakfast bread
It has been found time and again that processed and packaged food, however ‘natural, contains additives and chemicals that are controversial, or outright harmful to human health. Bread, that is the most common processed breakfast food, has a suspected tumour-causing additive, Potassium Bromate, in
White Bread vs Brown Bread
Bread has become an important part of our plate. A wide variety of options to select from in the market confuses us. White bread, brown bread, multi-grain bread are just few to choose from. An aware consumer should know the difference between white and
What is the difference between powdered milk and dairy whitener?
There is an increase in the use of dairy whitener in tea and coffee. Those who use them find that it dissolves easily and gives your tea a very great whitening ability and it also has the ability to lighten the coffee to produce
What do Food Labels say?
Food Labels or Nutrition Labels or nutritional labeling serves as the main communication link between the manufacturer and the consumer. Through food nutrition labels, a manufacturer introduces the content of his product to the consumer. Food labels help the consumer to understand the nutrient
Traffic Light Labeling System
In 2007, Food Standard Agency of UK developed a method of labeling food with a traffic light showing how much fat, sugar and salt are in that food. High Content (unhealthy) is shown by red, Medium (moderate) by amber and Low (healthy) by Green colors. Food with Green
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
Nutrition is a basic human need and a prerequisite to a healthy life. A proper diet is essential from the very early stages of life for proper growth, development and to remain active. RDA represents the nutrients in terms of diets that should be
Food Fortification-Why do we need it?
Micro-nutrient deficiencies affect not only the poor. Less obvious but nonetheless important are the effects of today’s lifestyles in the developed world on nutritional status. There are increased food choices, yes, but low micro-nutrient densities. The hectic pace of life can lead to inadequacies in the diet, so
What is Proprietary Food?
Proprietary food means an article of food that has not been standardized under Food Safety & Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, but does not include any novel foods, foods for special dietary uses, foods for special medical purposes, functional foods, nutaceuticals and health supplements.
Salty Health
Reducing salt intake may help manage blood pressure and prevent water retention. If you are taking medication for these conditions, it is still important to reduce salt intake to help the medication work more effectively.
Pregnant women should not restrict the amount of sodium
To Your Health
Consumer VOICE brings you a quick – ready reckoner for the food we all consume every day, but what is needed is some planning, mixing and matching to meet your specific health needs. It is good to know which food does what for you and to
FOOD SNIPPETS
DRINK MILK TO BOOST BRAIN POWER
No matter how old you are, drink at least a glass of milk everyday if you want to sharpen your mental skills, say researchers of University of Maine.
A new study has claimed that drinking a glass of
Buying Organic Food on a Budget
There are plenty of studies in scientific journals about the damaging effects of chemicals in our food, but it is also true that finding organic produce on a budget is quite difficult. The reality is that currently most organic products come at a premium
Are you addicted to sugar foods?
Ever wondered why it is so difficult to give up chocolates or stop craving for your favourite doughnut? Why do we feel drawn to that sugary drink despite being completely aware that it’s unhealthy? The answer could lie within our complex brain setup.
12 food additives to avoid
Hungry? How does a cheese sandwich on whole wheat with potato chips sound? Does munching on nitrate, sodium stearyl lactylate, and monocalcium phosphate have the same appeal? Probably not, but a look at the ingredients of pre-packaged stuff and almost every other type of
Organic Food
You can call it a health status or just a part of lifestyle – organic food is making waves everywhere. If some are buying organic products from the market, some have started their own little organic farm in their terrace or small farms.
But
Yogurt a Top Health Food
In India, Yogurt is yogurt, dahi is the Indian word for yogurt and curds is a term also used for yogurt. In the US, curds are a dairy product obtained by curdling (coagulating) milk with rennet or an edible acidic substance such as lemon
Chocolates: should they be refrigerated?
The recent episode when live worms were found in Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate has shown how the seemingly safe food product can become hazardous to health. The excuse that Cadbury’s is putting forth is that the worm infestation has been due to poor storage
Know Your Quality Marks
Manufacturers often sell their products with a quality mark of a product certification body. Quality marks are meant to communicate the added value of the product. The extra quality may refer to one or more aspects that a consumer may be unsure about. Such
Check your spices: there could be dung, sand, husk, colour…
This is not just another article to inform you about what harm can be caused by eating adulterated spices. That much has been talked about enough and you know all that you should. This write-up is more of a practical guide for you to
What is Basmati Rice and how is different from other varieties?
What is Basmati Rice?
Basmati is a type of long-grain aromatic rice. Basmati rice is a special quality of rice that is grown in India and Pakistan. Basmati rice has a unique fragrance and flavor caused due to presence of a chemical called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. This chemical is
Nutritional Value of Rice
Post harvesting, rice grains go through different production processes in the factories. The process leads to production of different types of rice. These processes are called milling and polishing. These processes not only changes the shape and size of the rice kernel, it also
Some Healthy Tips for sugar free diet
The first step towards overcoming sugar addiction and stop sugar cravings is to become aware that you are addicted to sugar or such food items. Maintaining a food diary will help a lot. It will help you to understand your food-consumption pattern. What compels
What is Food Carbon Footprint
We all are aware that greenhouse gas emissions which include carbon dioxide emissions and human activities like burning of oil, coal and gas, as well as deforestation that are damaging for our environment and cause of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. But many of us are not
Adopt Vegan Cheese or Dairy Free Cheese for a Healthy Environment
Morning breakfast with cheese omelette is something most of us relish. But did you know that cheese other than adding to your cholesterol level has a high carbon footprint thereby damaging the environment as well?
Cheese has a high carbon footprint because it
What is Saturated Fat?
Saturated fat is a bad fat found in meat and dairy products like full cream milk, cheese, butter and cream. Many cooked foods like pizza, sausage, and dairy desserts. In technical terms, saturated fats are simply fat molecules with no double bonds between carbon
What is Organic Food 2017
Organic food is the result of a farming system which avoids the use of pesticides and man-made fertilisers, Organic farming promotes ecological balance and conserves biodiversity. They are produced without use of genetically modified or GM components.
ORGANIC FOOD
Myth vs Reality#MythOrganic Food
How to Reduce Food Carbon Footprint
If you are thinking of ways on how to reduce food carbon footprint, avoiding meat is the first thing that needs to be done as per most research studies. Food carbon footprint or foodprint requires immediate attention as growing, rearing, processing and transporting and
Moderate consumption of fats, carbohydrates best for health: Study
An international study led by a group of researchers from the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) of McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences in Hamilton, Canada, suggests that a diet consisting of a moderate consumption of fat, fruits and vegetables, coupled with avoidance of high levels of carbohydrates,
GMO Foods or Genetically Modified Goods – Should you Eat them?
According to World Health Organization (WHO), genetically modified foods (GMO Foods) are those food items that are produced by using genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms could be plants, animals or microbes. They are produced in a way whose DNA or genetic material has been modified with the
Oil Shelf Life
How long does oil last? What is the oil shelf life? Oil shelf life depends on the best before date and how it is stored. Though we tend to use oil even after the expiry date, oil does go bad.
The declared oil shelf life of the most
How is GMO Food Labeling Done?
GM Foods are now consumed regularly in India. Cottonseed oil, soybean oil, brinjal (eggplant), and rice are some of the commonly
consumer GM foods in India. Considering that GM foods shall soon be available commercially in India and that a lot of genetically modified foods are being used
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF GROUNDNUT OIL?
Are you looking for the best groundnut oil for your food? Then your search stops here. Consumer VOICE brings an analysis of the best groundnut oil and helps you to choose between refined groundnut oil and filtered groundnut oil. Oil not only improves the
What are the GMO Pros and Cons?
Genetically modified organisms or GMOs are foods which have been in the market for more than 2 decades now. Genetically modified organisms or micro-organisms are those organisms whose genetic makeup has been manipulated by artificially inserting components of another organism. There has been extensive research by scientists from all
Organic Certification and Symbols for Organic Food in India
It’s true, of course, that there’s relatively less awareness about organic products, what goes into the process, how is their credibility established, what are the long-term effects, and so on. consumers often assume that foods that are labelled ‘organic’ are good for health and
Are Organic Food Products Healthier and Expensive too?
Many studies suggest that organic foods products are safer and healthier than other conventionally grown food items, in addition to being better for the environment. Organic fruits and vegetables and other products have less chemical exposure and some products are more nutritious than the conventional food products.
Sunflower Oil Benefits
Sunflower oil is extracted from the seeds of sunflower. It is used for cooking and frying and also as an emollient n the cosmetic formulations. Let’s see what sunflower benefits are and why it is considered the healthiest cooking oil:
High Vitamin Content
How is sugar made?
What is Sugar?
Sugar is the generic name for sweet, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. There are various types of sugar, derived from different sources. Simple sugars are called monosaccharides and include glucose, fructose and galactose.
Processing of sugar or
Benefits of Ghee and Cow Ghee
Ghee is a clarified type of butter, meaning that it has been simmered into a concentrate and the residue has been removed. What remains is basically a pure combination of fats, without any milk residue, which means that it does not need to be refrigerated. We understand what
Omega-3 food can help fight bowel cancer
Consuming salmon, walnuts and chia seeds can boost the chances of surviving bowel cancer by preventing the spread of deadly tumours across the body. When these omega-3 fatty acids are broken down after eating, they release cancer-fighting molecules that directly attack the cancerous cells.
Aberdeen University in Scotland
Food Advertisements complaints reported on Advertising Standard Council of India ( ASCI) portal
Did you know a consumer can complain against a misguiding food advertisement? Yes, this is possible. A misleading food advertisement that promotes unhealthy eating could be called off across all media channels. It is important that consumers report their views which can be easily done on the Advertising
Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (FSSA)
Food safety is a major public health concern. There are specific laws, mandates and regulations in India to maintain the quart of food and to ensure food safety. In fact, there are regulations for ways in which a food product can be promoted. The Food Safety and Standards
Report a problem with food on the Food Safety Connect Application ( App)
Has it happened that you opened a food packet and found an insect or a hair strand in it? Have you then wondered what actions you might take to report the same? Consumers play an important role in ensuring food safety. Suppose a food product complaint is registered
Food additive found in candy, gum could alter digestive cell structure and function
US-based researchers claim that a common food additive, titanium oxide, found in candy, chewing gum, bread and even toothpaste, slows down metabolism and significantly decreases absorption of nutrients like iron, zinc and fatty acids in the gut. Though non-fatal, scientists advise avoiding food rich in the additive, like
Difference between Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert
These days, many of the products in the ice cream aisle at any given grocery store are ‘frozen desserts’ that are often made with edible oil products and do not contain the nutrients naturally found in milk. Consumers must read the nutrition facts on
What is flavoured milk?
Flavoured milk is a ready-to- drink product, produced from milk, sugar and natural flavours (such as banana, pineapple, orange or chocolate). Milk is a good source of nutrition and this product is a healthy option for children and adults alike. Read more on know
Micronutrients Deficiency Diseases List
What are Micronutrients and its importance
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals required in small amounts that are essential to our health, development and growth. Proper intake of vitamins and minerals can mean the difference between a healthy, productive life, and a life fraught with
Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC)
The Food Fortification Resource Centre is a body that acts as a resource and support centre to promote large-scale fortification of food across India. It came into existence after the National Summit on Fortification of Food (2016), as a joint declaration by all stakeholders
Food Fortification: Advantages and Disadvantages
Food fortification is the process of adding micronutrients such as essential trace elements and vitamins to a food item. It is done to improve the nutritive values of the food. These nutrients may or may not have been originally present in the food before
Know your Milk Nutrition Facts
Milk is a well accepted and wholesome food and beverage for all age groups. It contains most of the nutrients necessary for growth and development. It is, therefore very useful for feeding infants, toddlers, growing children and expectant women and nursing mothers to consume
Interesting Facts About Tea and 3 Simple Ways to Test Quality of Tea
An interesting mix of facts and trivia that you probably didn’t know about tea.From the botanical name to the difference between Green and Black tea. Also, do you know you can test your Indian, Darjeeling and Assam tea at home and get to know
What’s in your black tea?
Can’t wake up without a cup of tea, that’s a common phenomena in many households. Do we consume too much? For every study that raises the red flag about potential risks of drinking too much tea, there are 10 or more studies that tout
Microbiological limits for milk/milk products applicable at retail level too
As per the Gazette Notification on Food Safety and Standards (Food Products and Food Additives) Tenth Amendment Regulation, 2016, issued by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), microbiological standards for milk and milk products become applicable at retail/consumer purchase point as well. Prior to this, prescribed
No import of food items with less than 60% shelf life: FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a new regulation under which food items with less than 60 per cent shelf life will not be allowed to enter the Indian market. The Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulation 2017 has been notified by FSSAI,
What is food extrusion or extrusion cooking?
Extrusion technology, well known in the plastics industry, has now become a widely used technology in the food processing industry, where it is referred to as extrusion cooking. It has been employed for the production of so-called engineered food. To find out which extruded
Soak rice overnight to reduce risk of heart disease, cancer
A new study suggests that before eating rice it should be soaked overnight to reduce the chances of increase in heart disease, diabetes and cancer. According to researchers from the Queens University Belfast in England, the common method of cooking rice – simply boiling it in a pan
Whole grains increase metabolism, may help in weight loss
Whole grains have been shown to be superior in the diet when compared with refined grains, suggests new research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Whole grains increased calorie loss by decreasing the number of calories retained during digestion, while simultaneously speeding up metabolism.
In the
Eating prebiotics may improve sleep, buffer impacts of stress
Intake of prebiotics – dietary fibres found naturally in foods like chicory, artichokes, raw garlic, leeks and onions – may help improve sleep and act as a buffer against the physiological impacts of stress, a study shows.
Prebiotics are certain types of non-digestible fibres that probiotic bacteria feed
Browned toast and potatoes carry ‘cancer risk’, say scientists
Bread, chips and potatoes should be cooked to a golden yellow colour, rather than darker brown, to reduce our
intake of a chemical compound called acrylamide that can cause cancer, warns the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA). Acrylamide is produced when starchy foods are roasted, fried or
Cooking oils: Choose the best
The “ideal” cooking oil should contain a higher amount of the “good” fats (omega-3 and 9), and minimal saturated fats and trans fats. We bring you a detailed insight into what the marketed variety of cooking oil brands contain. Read about what is Good” and what is Bad.
Aseptic Processing
In this process, the food item is packed into a sterile container under sterile conditions and sealed in a way that microbial contamination is prevented. The food products that undergo aseptic processing are shelf-stable and have a longer shelf life. Non-sterile foods such as
All about Canned Food or Processed Food
Food when processed, sealed and preserved in airtight containers is called canned food or processed food. Canning improves the shelf life of the food content ranging from one to five years.
Canning is a safe method for preserving food. It involves placing foods in
Check your spices: there could be dung, sand, husk, colour…
This is not just another article to inform you about what harm can be caused by eating adulterated spices. That much has been talked about enough and you know all that you should. This write-up is more of a practical guide for you to find out if spices
Huge Differences in the Sugar and Salt Content of Global Breakfast Cereal Brands
WASH (World Action on Salt & Health), a global group with the mission to improve the health of populations throughout the world by achieving a gradual reduction in salt intake which has 527 members from 95 countries conducted survey of nutritional composition (sugar and
Special feature CSR
Doing Well by Doing Good. Are they?
They come, they see opportunities, and they conquer markets. The large automobile companies, the FMCG majors, the banking, insurance, healthcare and even education service providers, the apparel leaders, the electronics and durable giants… all of them are
