Argemone oil - Extracted from Argemone seeds. Mixed with mustard oil or other edible oils to increase quantity as it is cheaper. Causes glaucoma, dropsy, and sometimes total blindness due to alkaloids.
Mineral oil (particularly a distillate of petroleum) - Added to edible oils (especially mustard oil) as a cheap substitute. Adversely affects health.
Castor oil - Used as a cheaper adulterant in some blended oils. Poses health risks.
Olive Pomace/Residue oil -
Mixed into refined olive oil. Pomace is the cheaper residue left after olive processing.
Excessive Free Fatty Acids (from rancidity) - Formed during decomposition of triglycerides in old or poorly stored oils. Indicates rancid oil, which can develop harmful free radicals leading to long-term cell damage and chronic diseases.
Dimethylpolysiloxane (DMPS), Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), and Tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) are antioxidants added to edible oils to prevent oxidation and spoilage. The FSSAI has set specific limits for these additives, as consuming them in high concentrations over time could be harmful to human health.
Since adulterants can be reliably detected and measured only by labs using advanced methods, choose reputable brands with an FSSAI license, read labels carefully, and opt for packaged oil over loose varieties.
I analyzed 55 products (with known nutrition facts as of April 24, 2024) in the Breakfast Cereals category of the India database of Open Food Facts - the 'Wikipedia of food'. The data, which has been obtained from Open Food Facts and subsequently cleaned, is available on GitHub in CSV format . You can also view that curated dataset with the Flat Viewer tool . Here are my findings and fun facts I discovered - * Flattened rice flakes, commonly known as "poha" or "beaten rice," have long been a popular breakfast item in many regions of India. Traditionally sold loosely in retail stores, these rice flakes have recently made their way into branded breakfast cereal offerings, such as those by Tata Sampann. Poha is appreciated for its nutritional value, versatility, and ease of preparation, making it a staple in Indian households and an increasingly popular choice in the global breakfast cereal market. * Flattened rice flakes are produced by parboiling, rolling, ...
If you're keen on taking charge of your nutrition and feel limited by services like HealthifyMe or RecipeDB, you'll be happy to know about the Indian Nutrient Databank (INDB) ! This well-researched, Open Access Food Database (^Github) offers comprehensive insights into the nutritional aspects of both raw foods and commonly consumed Indian recipes, helping you manage your health better. The INDB consists of two main components: a database of nutrient composition for 1,095 individual food items and a database of 1,014 commonly consumed recipes. Nutrient details of the food items & recipes are also available together as a downloadable Excel file from the website of Anuvaad Solutions . Whether you're a health enthusiast, a researcher, or a policymaker, the INDB offers unprecedented insight into the Indian diet. Chart from the research study shows that the nutrient content of commonly consumed composite dishes varied considerably The raw food items database was pr...
The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), part of the Indian Council of Medical Research, has released revised Dietary Guidelines for Indians. The last such report was issued in 2011. Links - PDF (May 2024, 148 pages), online copy These 17 guidelines offer science-based recommendations for healthy living across all age groups - Eat a variety of foods to ensure a balanced diet Ensure provision of extra food and healthcare during pregnancy and lactation Ensure exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continue breastfeeding till two years and beyond Start feeding homemade semi-solid complementary foods to the infant soon after six months of age Ensure adequate and appropriate diets for children and adolescents both in health and sickness Eat plenty of vegetables and legumes Use oils/fats in moderation; choose a variety of oil seeds, nuts, nutricereals and legumes to meet daily needs of fats and essential fatty acids (EFA) Obtain good quality proteins and essential ...
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