India Food Stats

The O'cean Tropic Pineapple Flavour Fruit Drink claims to contain 12% fruit juice on the front label. The ingredient list reveals that it actually contains 1.8% "DI - Apple Juice Concentrate (Equivalent to 12% DI - Apple Juice)." Image source - Open Food Facts What is that DI prefixed in front of "Apple Juice Concentrate"? Meta AI assistant explains that "DI" stands for deionized. DI apple juice concentrate, also known as deionized apple juice concentrate, is a type of fruit juice concentrate that has undergone a process to remove its flavor, color, and aroma. This deionization process extends the shelf life of the concentrate and results in a clearer product. What is the official definition of a "Fruit Drink"? The term "Fruit Drink" has a specific official definition (page 35 of PDF) according to regulations set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). To be classified as a "Fruit Drink," the product...

Did you know that 29-50% of most packaged Chaat Masala products is salt? Image source: Open Food Facts If you need to monitor your sodium intake for health reasons, you might consider reducing your use of Chaat Masala or making your own with less salt. Some brands like Aachi, Catch, and Aashirvaad provide the salt percentage or list the sodium content on their nutrient labels, but others do not include this information, so watch out! The primary ingredients of Chaat Masala typically include amchoor (dried mango powder), cumin, coriander, black salt, and sometimes asafoetida (hing). Its unique combination of tangy, salty, and slightly spicy flavors enhances the taste of various dishes, from fruits and salads to fried snacks and grilled meats.  When choosing masalas, opting for those with a higher spice content and lower salt content can offer more bang for the buck. This combination not only enhances the flavor and aroma of your dishes but also caters to health-conscious ind...

Shrinkflation is a term used to describe the practice of reducing the size or quantity of a product while keeping its price the same or increasing it slightly.  Open Food Facts helped me spot that Sunfeast Marie Light Active Mega Family Pack was all of 1 kg in 2023.  Image source:  Open Food Facts The current pack has been downsized to  956 grams now in 2025 . There is a change in barcode , ingredients & nutrients. It has slightly more fat and sugar.

As a contributor to Open Food Facts, I add and edit images of food product labels to extract nutrition information. While examining the ingredient list of Heritage A-One Spiced Buttermilk , I came across an ingredient I had never seen before—pasteurized water! Image source: Open Food Facts Pasteurized water appears in just 13 products in Open Food Facts food database of over 3.7 million products from around the globe. I had to turn to ChatGPT to know more about it and here's its response: Pasteurized Water is water that has been heat-treated to kill harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Unlike boiling, which heats water to 100°C, pasteurization heats water to a lower temperature (typically around 60°C to 70°C) for an extended period, which is sufficient to destroy most disease-causing organisms while preserving the taste and minerals. Pasteurization is commonly used for milk but can also be applied to water. Pasteurized water is different from distilled or st...

Image source: Open Food Facts Paneer Composition & Characteristics Indigenous dairy product from the Indian subcontinent Also known as Indian cottage cheese Made through heat and acid coagulation of milk Entraps fat and casein complexed with denatured whey proteins, salts, and lactose Marble white with firm, cohesive, spongy body and close-knit texture Possesses sweetish-acidic-nutty flavor Real Paneer contains only milk fat. Analogue Paneer is made using plant-based substitutes like palm oil or soy protein instead of milk fat. Although not illegal it must be clearly labelled. It can't have over 2% trans-fat. Adulterated Paneer contains harmful additives like saccharin, fabric whiteners, and chemicals. It can also be unhygienic Production Made from cow milk, buffalo milk, or combination. Can also use recombined milk (skim milk powder, cream/butter, water) or reconstituted milk (whole milk powder, water) Fat content varies by product type. As per FSSAI standards, pa...