Summary feedback
Parle Bake Smith is a popular tea time biscuit in India.
While reviewing this product we note that in 55 gm of this biscuit there is 12 gm of sugar and 250 calories with a large portion from simple carbohydrates and sugars. This is bad news for diabetics, obese people and those with lifestyle diseases.
The foodnetindia rating for this product :-
foodnetindia safety rating: 3 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
In India snacks like biscuits, are consumed in large quantities in every household which leads to piling of calories from simple starches and sugars quickly.
This biscuit contains a high amount of sugar and over 50 percent of its calories are from sugar and simple carbohydrates, which is high.
High simple starch and sugar consumption is unsafe for diabetics and those who are trying to lose weight. We recommend that this product must only be consumed in very small quantities and that too not by people with obesity or lifestyle diseases like hypertension, non alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes or prediabetes etc.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating: 3 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
This product cannot be considered as a meal replacement choice as it has poor nutrient diversity and is high in sugar, simple starches and calories. These should be eaten only in small quantities as a part of an otherwise wholesome meal plan; and that too only by the healthy.
Ingredients of Concern in Parle Bake Smith
Sugar
This food product contains 12 gm sugar per 55 gm of the product. It does not specify which sugar has been used. This is important because different sugars have different metabolic effects. For example, Sucrose (Cane Sugar) is very different from Fructose (Fruit Sugar). Some foods use high fructose corn syrup which may be harmful in much lower quantities than sucrose. We believe that it is not responsible behaviour for a brand to not clearly state what ingredients have been used.
Invert Syrup
Inverted or invert sugar syrup is a mixture of glucose and fructose. It is used in several products such as honey, jam, golden syrup, etc. It is similar to high fructose corn syrup.
High Fructose Corn Syrup is increasingly being seen as a reason for the high incidence of metabolic diseases. It has negative metabolic effects at much smaller doses than sucrose.
Salt
Certain manufacturers do not mention the quantity of salt contained in their products. High sodium diets have been known to be the cause of high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. The recommended daily intake of salt is between 1-3 grams.
Added Flavours (natural, nature-identical flavouring substances) Milk and Vanilla
This food product does not specify which flavours or flavouring substances have been used. The flavours should be specified as some of them have serious side effects and may not be suitable for infants, pregnant women or people who are allergic. We believe that it is not responsible behaviour for a brand to avoid clearly stating what ingredients have been used.
Other ingredients that are in the product but not a major source of concern in our opinion are:
- Wheat flour (71%)
- Raising agent [503 (ii)]
- Edible vegetable oil (palm oil)
- Milk solids
- Condensed milk
- Emulsifier: di-acetyl tartaric acid esters of mono and di-glycerides of vegetable oils
- Improver: papain -1101(ii)
Disclaimer – The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. foodnetindia encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
The ingredients list of the product may have changed since this page was published. Consumers are encouraged to read warnings, labels, ingredient lists, etc.
Replies, if any, from the brand, will be published here ‘As is’