As per a new survey by Assocham, 82% workforce in metro cities prefers to eat packaged food. But these food items are laden with chemicals and additives which could gravely affect the health. These items are also high on salt, leading to high blood pressure and trans fats which increase the bad cholesterol and reduce the good ones. DNA throws light on the matter
Chemical-based and artificial additives are toxic in nature
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has laid down new norms for packaged and processed food manufacturers regarding limited use of new chemicals and additives of varied nature in order to increase the shelf life and cosmetic value of food. These chemicals and additives include preservatives, artificial colours, stabilisers, antioxidants, artificial sweeteners and flavouring agents. Some of these artificial and chemical-based additives are toxic in nature and may be harmful if consumed over a period of time and that too beyond a certain limit.
The FSSAI has made it mandatory to follow the standards set for these packaged food articles, which is also printed on the package. Consumers should read the ingredients printed on them. For example, if soft drinks are consumed over a period of time or excessively, they can act as carcinogens. This is due to the high levels of pesticides present in the drinks. I agree that the trend of consuming packaged and processed food products has increased in India, especially among the working class. But, cooking healthy and traditional food at home is any day a better option.
Dr Abhay Desai, food microbiologist & director, Food Hygiene and Health Laboratory
The oil used in preparing junk food is a by-product of petroleum
Nowadays, the number of people suffering from renal failure has increased. This is happening due to the possible increase in consumption of chemical additives through packaged and processed food. Youngsters too are suffering from renal failure. Also, over consumption of chemicals present in these packaged food products have an adverse effect on the kidneys. The percentage of infertility has also increased from 15% to 50% over a period of ten years.
People must give a thought to their eating habits and return to the traditional habits of cooking food at home as it is surely a healthy option. Healthy cooking at home will surely keep you fit and help lead an active life. Especially working and educated people must understand the grave health dangers they face by over consumption of these packaged and processed food products.
For example, the oil used in preparing junk food is not from a natural source but the by-product of petroleum. The sweeteners used in the packaged food products are saccharin and not sugar. Over a long period of time, the body will not be able to metabolise all these artificial chemicals. There are so many natural foods available in our country and dishes made from them are also available in many hotels.
Dr Babu Joseph, director, National Institute of Naturopathy
Nutritional value of food gets compromised due to processing
Any sort of food processing done means altering the composition of the food items, which invariably changes the nutritional value and increases the shelf life of the product. This essentially means addition of preservatives, storing food in high or low temperatures, alterations in the basic ingredients or increasing certain ingredients like salt or sugar. The methods of processing and using additives succeed in maintaining the product aesthetically but definitely compromises on the nutrients. Especially heat sensitive nutrients like Vitamin C are lost due to processing. There are alterations in the structure of certain nutrients like proteins, fat and carbohydrates, thus reducing its bio-availability (absorption in the body) due to processing. These food items definitely fill our stomachs but affect the health. This leads to diseases like obesity, heart problems, lethargy, acidity, blood pressure and many more such ailments. There is an increase in consumption of ‘health foods’ and if the labels are not interpreted correctly then they can often be misleading and we end up consuming unhealthy food.
Avanti Deshpande, nutritionist
Eating dal-chawal is a far healthier option over junk foodA large number of people are consuming packaged food because it has become a matter of convenience, pleases the taste buds and fills your stomach. Also, it is important to note the quality of packaging used for these products and whether additives are used or not to increase their shelf life. For example, diary products like milk that come in tetra paks come without any additives and due to no contact with air, it remains fresh for a long period of time. The ready-to-eat food products are especially laden with preservatives and can have excess oil in the form of trans fats, which can be a threat to health. I don’t really advocate bakery products, whether they are packaged or not. The problem with canned or processed food is that they have excessive salt or sugar. Cooking at home is always a healthy option. For example, even simply eating dal-chawal is a far healthier option over junk food. What one needs to do is a little bit of time management and planning. We should stick to those food items that we are genetically used to such as Indian food cooked by traditional methods.
Geeta Desai, diet consultant
Why allow sale of packaged food when it is harmful to health?Consuming packaged food is a matter of convenience for a person who has a busy routine. People look at packaged food as a safer option than openly available food items that are prepared outside. Many people are not aware about what goes into making processed and packaged food items. Besides, the ingredients that are printed on the packaged food are in finer text so no one generally reads it. Even if anyone makes an effort to read it, half of the ingredients mentioned are beyond comprehension. If these chemical additives that are added in packaged food are so dangerous then why is it allowed to be sold in the first place by the government? To increase the shelf life of a food product, manufacturers cannot play with the lives of people. It would be better to print a warning on the packages regarding the side effects of these additives, the way it is printed on liquor and cigarette packets.
Rajesh Ghorpade, IT professional
Chemical-based and artificial additives are toxic in nature
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has laid down new norms for packaged and processed food manufacturers regarding limited use of new chemicals and additives of varied nature in order to increase the shelf life and cosmetic value of food. These chemicals and additives include preservatives, artificial colours, stabilisers, antioxidants, artificial sweeteners and flavouring agents. Some of these artificial and chemical-based additives are toxic in nature and may be harmful if consumed over a period of time and that too beyond a certain limit.
The FSSAI has made it mandatory to follow the standards set for these packaged food articles, which is also printed on the package. Consumers should read the ingredients printed on them. For example, if soft drinks are consumed over a period of time or excessively, they can act as carcinogens. This is due to the high levels of pesticides present in the drinks. I agree that the trend of consuming packaged and processed food products has increased in India, especially among the working class. But, cooking healthy and traditional food at home is any day a better option.
Dr Abhay Desai, food microbiologist & director, Food Hygiene and Health Laboratory
The oil used in preparing junk food is a by-product of petroleum
Nowadays, the number of people suffering from renal failure has increased. This is happening due to the possible increase in consumption of chemical additives through packaged and processed food. Youngsters too are suffering from renal failure. Also, over consumption of chemicals present in these packaged food products have an adverse effect on the kidneys. The percentage of infertility has also increased from 15% to 50% over a period of ten years.
People must give a thought to their eating habits and return to the traditional habits of cooking food at home as it is surely a healthy option. Healthy cooking at home will surely keep you fit and help lead an active life. Especially working and educated people must understand the grave health dangers they face by over consumption of these packaged and processed food products.
For example, the oil used in preparing junk food is not from a natural source but the by-product of petroleum. The sweeteners used in the packaged food products are saccharin and not sugar. Over a long period of time, the body will not be able to metabolise all these artificial chemicals. There are so many natural foods available in our country and dishes made from them are also available in many hotels.
Dr Babu Joseph, director, National Institute of Naturopathy
Nutritional value of food gets compromised due to processing
Any sort of food processing done means altering the composition of the food items, which invariably changes the nutritional value and increases the shelf life of the product. This essentially means addition of preservatives, storing food in high or low temperatures, alterations in the basic ingredients or increasing certain ingredients like salt or sugar. The methods of processing and using additives succeed in maintaining the product aesthetically but definitely compromises on the nutrients. Especially heat sensitive nutrients like Vitamin C are lost due to processing. There are alterations in the structure of certain nutrients like proteins, fat and carbohydrates, thus reducing its bio-availability (absorption in the body) due to processing. These food items definitely fill our stomachs but affect the health. This leads to diseases like obesity, heart problems, lethargy, acidity, blood pressure and many more such ailments. There is an increase in consumption of ‘health foods’ and if the labels are not interpreted correctly then they can often be misleading and we end up consuming unhealthy food.
Avanti Deshpande, nutritionist
Eating dal-chawal is a far healthier option over junk foodA large number of people are consuming packaged food because it has become a matter of convenience, pleases the taste buds and fills your stomach. Also, it is important to note the quality of packaging used for these products and whether additives are used or not to increase their shelf life. For example, diary products like milk that come in tetra paks come without any additives and due to no contact with air, it remains fresh for a long period of time. The ready-to-eat food products are especially laden with preservatives and can have excess oil in the form of trans fats, which can be a threat to health. I don’t really advocate bakery products, whether they are packaged or not. The problem with canned or processed food is that they have excessive salt or sugar. Cooking at home is always a healthy option. For example, even simply eating dal-chawal is a far healthier option over junk food. What one needs to do is a little bit of time management and planning. We should stick to those food items that we are genetically used to such as Indian food cooked by traditional methods.
Geeta Desai, diet consultant
Why allow sale of packaged food when it is harmful to health?Consuming packaged food is a matter of convenience for a person who has a busy routine. People look at packaged food as a safer option than openly available food items that are prepared outside. Many people are not aware about what goes into making processed and packaged food items. Besides, the ingredients that are printed on the packaged food are in finer text so no one generally reads it. Even if anyone makes an effort to read it, half of the ingredients mentioned are beyond comprehension. If these chemical additives that are added in packaged food are so dangerous then why is it allowed to be sold in the first place by the government? To increase the shelf life of a food product, manufacturers cannot play with the lives of people. It would be better to print a warning on the packages regarding the side effects of these additives, the way it is printed on liquor and cigarette packets.
Rajesh Ghorpade, IT professional
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