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Ferrero

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Ferrero International SpA commonly known as Ferrero Group or simply Ferrero, was founded in 1946 in Alba in Piedmont, Italy, by Pietro Ferrero, a confectioner and small-time pastry maker who laid the groundwork for the introduction of Nutella.  Since then, Ferrero has grown into one of the biggest names in the chocolate world, with over 35 brands enjoyed in over 170 countries including India . Its lineup includes popular treats like Nutella, Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, Butterfinger, Tic Tac, and other sweets like Jelly Belly and Trolli. Ferrero produces around 365,000 tonnes of Nutella each year. Ferrero is the world's largest consumer of hazelnuts. It has been described as "one of the world's most secretive firms", reportedly to guard against industrial espionage. It has never held a press conference and does not allow media visits to its plants. Ferrero, the family-owned Italian chocolate giant, acquired one of America’s oldest breakfast cereal companies, snapping up t...

Thirumala Paneer

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Back in 2023, the nutrition label for Thirumala Paneer 400g ( brand owned by Lactalis , the largest dairy group in the world by revenue) showed it had 14g of protein per 100g.  Fast forward to 2026, and the current label now lists 18.5g of protein per 100g . Images -  OpenFoodFacts.org Same ingredients (Milk solids & Nisin), almost same cost (Rs 200 then, Rs 198 now), different bar codes, more protein ( 4g per 100gm)! The protein content is lower than that of low-fat, high-protein paneer brands like Akshayakalpa Organic High Protein Paneer   ( 28g per 100gm) or Milky Mist high Protein Paneer   ( 25g per 100gm), but at around Rs 200 for 400gms, it offers good value for money compared to other regular Paneer brands that provide about 16g protein per 100g. Also see - Paneer Unwrapped:  A comparison of Paneer products . Note - I don't endorse Thirumala Paneer and it's just some label spotting I did while I contribute data to OpenFoodFacts.org

Reused Oil is a Silent Killer

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Here is a simplified guide on why reusing frying oil is dangerous and what the food safety regulations mean for your health. Why Reused Oil is a "Silent Killer" Every time you reheat oil for frying, it breaks down and loses its natural antioxidants. This degradation creates Total Polar Compounds (TPC) —toxic by-products that are directly linked to several chronic diseases. Long-Term Health Risks Regular consumption of food cooked in reused oil is not just about a bad stomach; it has serious long-term consequences: Heart Health: Increases "bad" cholesterol (LDL), leading to hypertension (high blood pressure), atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), and stroke. Metabolic Disorders: Linked to a higher risk of Diabetes and Obesity. Liver & Brain Health: Associated with liver damage and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Cancer: The formation of carcinogenic molecules like acrylamides and aldehydes during reheating can increase the risk of various cancers. The ...

Mars

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Mars Incorporated has primarily been a chocolate ( Snickers , M&M’s , Twix , Galaxy , Skittles ) and pet care player ( Pedigree ) in India. By acquiring Kellanova (the snacking-focused spin-off of Kellogg) in late 2025, Mars has suddenly become a major player in Breakfast Cereals ( Kellogg's ) and Salty Snacks ( Pringles ) market in India. Images: OpenFoodFacts.org In 2023, the original Kellogg Company split into two: WK Kellogg Co (handling North American cereal) and Kellanova (handling global snacking and international cereal) In India, this means brands like Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Muesli, and Pringles (which belonged to Kellanova) are now part of the Mars Snacking portfolio. This move puts Mars in direct, high-stakes competition with Mondelez ( Cadbury , Oreo ) and PepsiCo ( Lays , Kurkure ) for "share of stomach" in the Indian snacking market. The person now leading the combined Indian business, Mars Snacking India, is a former top executive from Mondelez, Prashan...

Food Related Courses on Swayam MOOC Platform

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SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) is a MOOC platform. It is an Indian government-initiated Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platform, launched by the Ministry of Education (formerly Ministry of Human Resource Development) to provide free, high-quality online courses from school level (Class 9) to post-graduation, including engineering, humanities, management, and skill-based programs. Many courses allow credit transfer to formal degrees as per UGC/AICTE regulations (up to 40% of a program in some cases). It is one of the world's largest MOOC platforms, with thousands of courses, over 4 crore enrollments, and coordination by institutions like NPTEL, NCERT, UGC, AICTE, IIMB, INI (Institutes of National Importance), IGNOU and others. SWAYAM offers two main semesters per year (January and July), and the platform keeps many courses open year-round or self-paced. Enrollment is free, and courses typically run for 8–12 weeks, starting soon after th...