Levels of salt, fat in junk foods way higher than proposed thresholds: CSE study

A new report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has alleged excessive and “dangerous” level of salt and under reporting of transfats in various well-known packaged foods brands.

It names HUL’s Knorr and Nestle’s Maggi, Too Yumm chips endorsed by cricket captain Virat Kohli, Haldiram’s Classic Nut crackers, and samples at McDonald’s, Burger King, Domino’s, Pizza Hut and Subway with excessively high salt levels.

The report has said the levels of salt are much higher than the thresholds set by industry body Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The tests were conducted by CSE’s Environment Monitoring Laboratory (EML), which has previously released findings on pesticides in soft drinks, potassium bromate in bread and antibiotics in honey and chicken.

The report says the EML has tested salt, fat, transfats and carbohydrates of 33 popular junk foods, which include 14 samples of chips, namkeen, instant noodles and instant soup and 19 samples of burgers, fries, fried chicken, pizza, sandwich and wraps. These samples were collected from grocery stores and fast food outlets in Delhi and are known to be widely sold and consumed across the country, the study says.

CSE director general Sunita Narain questioned the FSSAI while releasing the report. “Consumers have the right to know what is contained in the package. But FSSAI is dragging its feet and has not notified its own draft labelling regulation,” she said in a statement. “This is clearly because of pressure from the powerful food industry. This is not acceptable,” she added.

She has alleged that the FSSAI has being setting up committees but there is no final update on the matter.

Source:- https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/food-entertainment/food-services/levels-of-salt-fat-in-junk-foods-way-higher-than-proposed-thresholds-cse-study/72862560