Grocery shopping has become perplexed these days with our priority on contactless and seamless buying experiences while in a store. In such a situation, going with a buying list makes sense. And it’s even better if you know the brand to buy from the nearby store. Our evaluation report
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN BUTTERMILK (CHACH)?
Consumer VOICE has selected five popular brands packed in a plastic pouch of buttermilk to interpret the nutritional information given on their labels. The chosen brands are–Amul, Ananda, Mother Dairy, Namaste India, and Patanjali. We found the energy value is highest in brand Mother Dairy and lowest in Patanjali. Protein […]
WHY THIS RICE BRAN OIL SCORES THE HIGHEST?
Foods cooked with rice bran oil absorb up to 15-20 per cent less oil! Less oil absorbed results in reduced calories, better, lighter tasting food and enhanced flavor and palatability. Consumer Voice team tested 9 popular brands of rice bran oils at an NABL accredited lab to rank the oils […]
Let’s Be Realistic About Eating Healthy
Instead of over-ambitious food resolutions, small changes in eating habits can make a big difference. Dr Rajni Chopra | Feb 22, 2020 Setting unrealistic dietary resolutions like zero eating out, zero-packaged foods, et al. are more often than not impossible to keep. Instead, moderation rather than abstinence would to be a more […]
Trans Fat: The Next Epidemic To Watch Out For
Nilanjana Bose | May 21, 2020 More people die annually from heart diseases than from any other cause. And trans fats are to blame. Currently, the world is reeling under a global pandemic that has exposed colossal chinks in the world’s ability to deal with this scourge. COVID-19 has shown its unprecedented […]
Trans Fats: The Devil Is In The Details
Ramananda Sengupta | Jul 03, 2020 India plans to cap the amount of this deadly unsaturated fat found across various food sectors before the WHO deadline of 2023. But some loopholes in the draft law need to be plugged first. Apart from the fact that they taste good, what do the cakes […]
High fibre’ claim by Cremica biscuit is false
Five popular brands of digestive biscuits and cookies were chosen to interpret the nutritional information given on their labels. Selected brands for study were-Britannia Nutri Choice, Cremica, McVities, Tasty Treat, and Parle Nutricrunch Honey and Oats Cookies. The energy value of all brands was found approximately the same (481 to […]
What is mindful eating and how it can save you?
Mindful or sustainable eating stands on the concept of a healthy diet together with sustaining the environment for future generations. So what is a sustainable food item? The entire process involved in bringing it to the present state of consumption should have caused minimal damage to the environment, It should […]
Panel Discussion on World Food Safety Day – ‘Food safety, everyone’s business’
World Food Safety Day adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018, will be observed once again on 7th June 2020. The objective is to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market […]
Say no to vanaspati (ghee)
Vanaspati is an industrial product and formed by partial hydrogenation of refined edible vegetable oil or oils. Hydrogenated oils are more stable than corresponding natural oils. They are not only stable and make the fried food product last longer but also adds taste. The reason being, there is widespread use of […]
Webinar on Tea for Good Health – Hosted by Consumer VOICE Chai, cha, tea, call it by whatever name, a cup of good tea is all you need to cheer you up in the morning. The ritual of drinking tea in India transcends all boundaries and it comes with different […]
Virtual Session on Myths and Facts on Meat and Poultry Food Products in the Context of Covid-19
This is not new. These days there is no shortage of fake news. Whenever, there has been a health crisis, some section of the society start spreading confusing information on meat and poultry products. Many people are therefore afraid of eating meat and meat products because of such misinformation and […]
Best Practices for Consumers during COVID 19 on Health Protection and Food Safety FSSAI -CHIFSS – VOICE WEBINAR
CHIFSS (CII HUL Initiative on Food Safety Sciences) in partnership with FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and Consumer VOICE is organizing a webinar to make the end consumer aware of the best practices of food safety at every step, and sensitizing consumers about possible virus exposure. Register […]
कोविड-19 का प्रकोप: ऐसे बढ़ायें अपनी प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली यानी इम्यून सिस्टम
कोविड.2019 का प्रकोप पूरी दुनिया में फैल गया है। वैश्विक महामारी के इस दौर में जब हम सामाजिक दूरी को बनाए रख रहे हैं तो इस समय हमें अपने स्वास्थ्य का भी विशेष ध्यान रखना महत्वपूर्ण है। इस लेख के माध्यम से कंस्यूमर वॉयस यही समझाने का प्रयास कर रहा […]
Consumer VOICE Survey On Trans Fat In Foods
50% of sample food products have not met the draft standard – Consumer Voice Survey On 28th August 2019, FSSAI issued a draft notification that said, “Food Products in which edible oils and fats are used as an ingredient should not contain trans fatty acids more than 2 per cent […]
Take note of your daily food intake
Richa Pande All fats are not necessarily harmful. Some fats are vital for human well being. Cooking oils and solid fats together are referred to as ‘fats’ (Source: Dietary Guidelines, NIN). They can be classified as saturated fats and unsaturated fats. The difference between good and bad fat is in […]
Want to keep your heart safe? It’s time to avoid these 5 foods rich in trans fat
Did you know that the samosa or the kachori that is home made could be more harmful than you thought? Are you shocked? Here are more reasons to get shocked. Vanaspati and reused oils that you use could actually result in cardiovascular diseases and you might not even get to […]
The Health-Oriented Faceoff : Mustard Oil vs. Rice Bran Oil vs. Olive Oil
Health fads have become an inseparable part of people’s lives today. People are always looking for something that will help improve their health quickly and allow them to avoid health issues. If you are among such people and you are confused about which oil to use for cooking, then you […]
How to Increase the Shelf Life of Mustard Oil?
Mustard Oil is one of the common Indian kitchen ingredients that cannot be replaced. Its unique and pungent flavor, and its ability to make foods taste divine. If you love it too and want to make sure that you use it only when it can enhance your health rather than […]
Is Milk Giving Our Children Enough Calcium?
Our mothers and grandmothers have always boasted about how good milk is for the kids, especially growing children, and we have believed it to be true for decades. Have you ever wondered whether milk is giving enough calcium to our children? If not, it’s time you read on.Though milk is […]
Top 10 Health Benefits of Mustard Oil
If you live in India, it is very likely that you have mustard oil on your grocery list every month. It is an essential ingredient, and some foods like ladyfinger taste best when cooked in it. This oil is extracted from the seeds of the mustard plant and is very […]
How to Detect Ammonia in Our Food?
Reuters had recently published a few investigative articles in which it was revealed that ammonia is being used in many foods, especially common foods like cheese, chocolate (acidity controller) and baked goods (leavening agents). If you are also worried about how bad ammonia is for health, how to detect ammonia […]
You Won’t Believe How Beneficial Food Fortification Can Be!
Food fortification is the process of adding one or more essential nutrients to the food to make sure that there is no deficiency of any nutrient. Though there is no doubt that there are immense benefits of food fortification, the process is not always harmless. Read on to know what […]
Foods to Avoid During the Indian Summer
Summer months in India are from April- July and one has to eat right to prevent any stomach prone diseases. To battle any effects of the digestive system one must include fluids in their diet. Tea and coffee should be avoided. Drinking a good amount of water is key to […]
FSSAI Announces New Packaging Regulations 2018
Bhelpuri in Newspaper Cone and Sambhar in Plastic Bag: Not Anymore as FSSAI Announces New Packaging Regulations Some freshly cooked samosas on your way back after a long and tiring day or some steaming hot momos packed in a newspaper packet is hard to resist. But have you stopped and […]
Pros and Cons of Branded Curd: Should You Buy One?
The curd is one of the Indian superfoods that’s gaining a lot of global attention these days. The result, kids who used to stay away from curd when their grandmothers urged them to have some are now chasing the curd and curd recipes as adults. Thanks to the fact that […]
How to Beat the Heat with Curd?
Summers are possibly the worst time of the year for your digestion and gut health. It’s that time of the year when you don’t feel like eating anything, you want to live off liquids, and you hate the idea of having hot foods. You probably wait for fresh food to […]
Facts About Nutrients in Curd: It’s Truly Worth It!
We all grew up hearing from our parents and grandparents about how excellent curd is for health. Well, it seems that our elders were right. Curd is packed with loads of health benefits and must be included in your daily diet no matter whether you prefer it with hot parathas […]
Curd vs. Yogurt vs. Probiotics: The Ultimate Faceoff
Most of us assumed that curd and yogurt were two different names of the same thing. This is not the case. Curd has specific properties that make it unique and so does yogurt. There is one another category people often confuse with curd and yogurt, it is known as probiotics. […]
Organic Foods – Can they all be termed ‘organic’?
As organic food products start to find their way into more and more homes across India, the market suddenly seems to be inundated with all things ‘organic’. In at least some instances, the claims are clearly misleading and not entirely believable. To curb such false claims as also the sale […]
Classic Cornflakes Biscuit Recipe
Cornflakes is a versatile cereal and a lot can be made with it. The cornflakes texture lends itself to both savoury and sweet dishes. Cornflakes usually we have with our milk and some nuts or fruits but this time we shall make a cornflake biscuit. This is a yummy dish […]
Cornflakes – Your Morning Friend or Foe?
Cornflakes are a staple breakfast option in many households, however is it a healthy option? Does it lead to weight loss? What are the benefits and disadvantages of cornflakes? Cornflakes are a packaged cereal eaten with cold or hot milk. The main ingredient of cornflakes is corn. Sugar, malt flavoring, […]
From the Factory to the Bowl – The Process of making cornflakes
Have you wondered how are cornflakes made? The main ingredient in a cereal is grain. The most common ones are corn, wheat, oats, rice and barley. Most breakfast cereals also contain ingredients such as salt, yeast, sweeteners, flavoring agents, coloring agents, vitamins, minerals and preservatives. The most important of these […]
Maggi controversy: SC revives government’s case against Nestle India in National Commission
Nestle India Limited has welcomed the Supreme Court’s order that allows National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) to proceed with a three-year-old suit with regard to Maggi filed by the government. The apex court was hearing an appeal filed by the company against two interim orders passed by NCDRC in […]
Does Your Food Claim Too Much?
Consumers are often misled by the claims on food packs and in commercials. They end up purchasing a product that may not be apt for them. Not necessarily does a product have the quality that it claims to have. To protect the interests of consumers, Food Safety and Standards Authority […]
10 Facts You Did Not Know About Instant Noodles
Most of us eat noodles almost every week or month because they are tasty, convenient and a filling option. But have you ever wondered about rarely known facts about instant noodles when you gorge on noodles from brands like Maggi, Wai Wai, Top Ramen or Knorr? If not, you should […]
Best butter for baking pound cake
We live in a world full of choices , it’s confusing to choose a simple thing like butter. The grocery store shelves are crowded with different brands and varieties, yet most recipe still just say “butter.” Choosing butter for baking can become a task.The traditional salted butter or table butter […]
What’s Bad or Good About Instant Noodles?
If you haven’t been living in a cave since the last few centuries, it is very likely that you have heard of or have experienced eating instant noodles at least once in your lifetime. They are an easy to cook option that can be readied within minutes and tastes good […]
Importance of Packing of Butter
When you use the butter every day for adding it to a bread slice or a delectable paneer dish, you hardly think about the packing of butter. Packing of butter is essential not only to increase the shelf life of butter but also because it has many other benefits. Some […]
Salted or Unsalted Butter: Which Should I Use When?
The clear difference between salted and unsalted butter is the presence of salt. Mostly unsalted butter is made with 100% cream, salted butter will have some salt added to it. The exact amount of salt present in the butter will depend on the brand. Salted butter also lasts longer in […]
Differences between white butter and yellow butter?
Growing up in a typical Punjabi household is synonyms for white butter on your parathas, wouldn’t you agree? Delicious memories come to your mind when we talk about Makke di Roti and Sarso da Saag which seems incomplete without the creamy butter. Fresh white butter made at home has its […]
The Silver Leaf on Your Food – Is it safe for consumption?
You see these in sweets shops, these thin silver foils peppered on the various delicacies. Also known as chandi ka vark, various mouth fresheners, dry fruits and spices, and some culinary preparations, too, are frequently garnished with these silver leaves. Why are these used in the first place? Are there […]
Food labels encourage healthier choices: Study
Labels on packaged foods as well as on restaurant menus giving information on nutrition facts, calorie counts, whether these are fat-free or have low sodium, etc., have to some extent encouraged healthier eating choices, say researchers.The research, led by Tufts University researchers, found that labelling reduced consumers’ intake of calories […]
What are Marie Biscuits Made Of?
There is hardly any home in India where you can’t find Marie biscuits. They are soft, they are tasty, and best of all, they are healthy if consumed wisely. If you are a fan of these small snacks, you would probably won’t need an answer to what are Marie biscuits. […]
What are Dietary Fibers and How They Make You Healthy?
More and more people understand the importance of staying fit via healthy meals these days. If you are one of them, you must have heard of dietary fibers, and you would have been advised to incorporate them into your diet. If you are wondering what are dietary fibers and how […]
Simple Tests to check Adulterated Sweets
Diwali comes to an end however the piles of gifts and sweets remain. Our diet plans don’t stop us from indulging, however can we stop and think if these sweets are safe to eat? Are they safe to consume? It is difficult to resist the temptation, but it is paramount […]
Antimicrobial Agents in the Food Chain – Use and Misuse
Quality, safety and preservation of food products are universal concerns. Food producers and handlers use antimicrobial agents to prevent spoilage of food as well as to prevent food-borne illnesses. Antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs extend the shelf life of food products. Now, there are two sides to […]
Is your food spoilt?
There are ways to tell if your food is spoilt, its appearance changes, the colour changes, a change in texture or an unpleasant odour or an undesirable taste. Food spoilage is a fast and inevitable process if you don’t take the right preventive measures. When you consume food that is […]
Use of Antimicrobial Agents in India
The term microbial agents is being used pretty commonly these days. If you have also heard of it and you are wondering what are microbial agents then you should read on. An antimicrobial is an agent which stops the growth of or kills microorganisms. Usually the antimicrobial medicines are classified […]
Importance of Food Preservation
Food preservation is one of the primary concerns for the food industry due to various reasons, not the least being its role in enhancing the shelf life of food and ensuring food safety. No one can underestimate food preservation because it ensures greater and wider availability of food products, less […]
Health Benefits of Honey: Why you should include healthy honey in your diet
Honey has anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-parasitic effects. Its capacity to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and fungi is well-documented. Honey contains a number of minerals and vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium. There are also important antioxidants, such as flavonoids and alkaloids. There are trace amounts of […]
What Makes Honey Organic?
Honey is considered organic when it is locally grown and not processed. Organic honey, also known as ‘raw’ honey, does not contain any pesticides or environmental pollutants. So, many people consider this form of honey to be real honey. Since it does not go through the traditional process for safety, […]
Antacids: Not healthy over the long term
There are these advertisements that feature individuals gulping down food in excessive amounts, leading to indigestion (also known as heartburn and acidity). This discomfort is often shown to be eased by the branded antacid, and invariably has a funny and loud burp as an accompaniment. The portrayal is funny but […]
How to check purity of Honey?
Adulteration of honey means it is impure, artificial or adulterated. Glucose, dextrose, molasses, sugar syrup, invert sugar, corn syrup, or any other similar product may have been added to it.6 Pure Honey TestsTake a tablespoon of honey and put it in a glass of water. If the honey dissolves, then […]
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 to make paneer? To […]
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 are justified.What […]
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 ‘ called rancidity […]
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 favoured by […]
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 protecting health […]
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 cobs and turns […]
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 to depression […]
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 three weeks, blood […]
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 Standards Council […]
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 items over […]
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’ – summarising easy […]
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 has become […]
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