Summary feedback
Parle Hide & Seek Black Bourbon is a cream sandwich biscuit.
This product is a sugary product, as it contains 43 gm sugar per 100 gm pack. Excess sugar is harmful for the health of kids and adults consuming it, as it may start the process of diabetes and obesity.
The product contains edible vegetable oil-palm oil as one of its ingredients, palmolein oil is generally a safe oil as unlike most other vegetable oils, palmolein is primarily saturated fat. It does not have too much PUFA, which can get oxidized under heat and is often rendered toxic.
However, last year, the safety authority delivered a scientific report that current levels of glycerol-based process contaminants found in palm oil are a “potential health concern.” Animal studies have identified these contaminants, which are formed when vegetable oils are heated to high temperatures and then refined, as both genotoxic (damaging to DNA) and carcinogenic (causing cancer). Of all vegetable oils, palm oil was found to have the highest levels of these contaminants. At high levels of exposure, these contaminants are a health hazard for all age groups, the authority concluded, expressing particular concern for infants, toddlers and children under the age of 10.
The foodnetindia rating for this product :-
foodnetindia safety rating: 3 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
The product contains 43 gm per 100 gm. High sugar consumption is unsafe for the health of kids and adults. This is why we have given this product a low safety rating.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating: 2 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
In India, biscuits are consumed almost daily as snacks and in large quantities and so this makes it a cause of worry as it is a sugary product.
This product is not a suitable meal replacement, and must be consumed only in small quantities even by healthy people in an otherwise nutritious, wholesome and balanced diet.
Ingredients in Parle Hide and Seek Black Bourbon which are a concern:
Added flavours- Artificial flavouring substances-Chocolate and Vanilla
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.
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
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 (Artificial Flavouring Substances: Vanilla, chocolate)
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.
Ingredients present in Parle Hide and Seek Black Bourbon which are not a concern
- Wheat Flour
- Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil)
- Cocoa Solids (4.5%),
- Raising Agents: IN 503(ii), IN 500(ii)
- Emulsifiers: Lecithin of Soya Origin
Permitted Natural colours 150d
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 products may have changed since this page was published. Consumers are encouraged to read warnings, labels, ingredient lists, etc.
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