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Brookside Dark Chocolate contains center 60% -sugar, liquid glucose, fruit pulp 10.1%, papaya 9.7%, acai 0.2%, blueberry 0.2%, stabilisers 440, 414, 331 (iii) and acidulent 296.
Chocolate 40% contains- sugar, cocoa solids 29.4%, cocoa butter, milk solids, antioxidant 322(i), edible common salt, stabiliser 1400, and glazing agent 904.
It also contains permitted synthetic food colours (102, 122, 133 and 132) and added flavours- nature identical and artificial flavouring substances-raspberry, green apple.
It has a high amount of sugar at 58.9 gm in a 100 gm serving. HFSS (High Fat Sugar or Salt) products like this are unsuitable for the health of most kids and adults alike. People at risk of lifestyle disease must avoid such products.
The product mentions salt as an ingredient but doesn’t mention the exact quantity of it on the food label. 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.
The foodnetindia rating for this product :-
foodnetindia safety rating: 3– (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
The high sugar content in this product can be harmful if consumed frequently for the health of kids and adults alike. This must be consumed only in small quantities even by healthy people.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating : 3 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
It contains a good amount of cocoa solids and fruit pulp in it but the fact that it contains high sugar, salt, food colours and added flavours with unspecified chemical names makes it unsuitable for most kids and adults.
Ingredients of concern in Brookside Dark Blueberry & Acai
- Sugar
- Salt
- Liquid glucose
- Food colours 102, 122
- Artificial flavouring substances-Raspberry, Green apple
Sugar
This food product 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.
Sugar is a carbohydrate found naturally in a host of different foods from lactose in milk to the fructose in fruit and honey. In fact, we need some sugar in our diets to supply ready energy to fuel our muscles and keep our brains active. The problem is that many processed foods have added sugar which supplies energy in the form of calories – and very little else. This means our body has to draw on the nutrients from the rest of our diet to process it and this can affect our health, including our immunity – leaving us more prone to bugs and colds. A high intake of sugar causes our blood sugar levels to shoot up, giving us that feel-good ‘high’ followed by a crashing slump which leaves us tired, irritable and craving more sugary foods. It’s a vicious cycle that may be contributing to our weight problems as well as health concerns like diabetes and heart disease.
Salt
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.
Liquid Glucose
Glucose syrup, also known as confectioner’s glucose, is a syrup made from the hydrolisis of starch. Glucose is a sugar.
Excessive sugar consumption is linked to a wide variety of metabolic diseases.
Food Colours
Tartrazine 102
Tartrazine is an azo dye. No side effects are known for pure tartrazine, except in people who are intolerant to salicylates (aspirin, berries, fruits); in that case tartrazine also induces intolerance symptoms. In combination with benzoates (E210-215), tartrazine is implicated in a large percentage of cases of ADHD syndrome (hyperactivity) in children. Asthmatics may also experience symptoms following consumption of tartrazine, as it is a known histamine-liberating agent.
Azorubine -Carmoisine 122
Since it is an azo dye, it may elicit intolerance in people intolerant to salicylates. Additionally, it is a histamine liberator, and may intensify symptoms of asthma. In combination with benzoates, it is also implicated in hyperactivity in children.
Artificial flavouring substances- Raspberry, Green apple
This product does not specify the chemical names of the flavours used and does not mention the quantity used either. While we understand that the legal labelling requirements allow this practice, we find it irresponsible that brands do not self disclose.
Some people are allergic to some of these chemicals and others may want to avoid them. Consumers have a right to know and decide.
Other ingredients that are in the product but not a major source of concern in our opinion are:
- Center 60%
- Fruit pulp 10.1%- (papaya 9.7%, acai 0.2%, blueberry 0.2%),
- Stabilisers 440, 414, 331 (iii)
- Acidulent 296
- Chocolate 40%
- Cocoa solids 29.4%,
- Cocoa butter,
- Milk solids,
- Antioxidant 322(i),
- Stabiliser 1400,
- Glazing agent 904
- Permitted synthetic food colours (133 and 132)
- Added flavours- nature identical- Raspberry, Green apple.
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.
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