Summary Feedback
Patanjali Doodh Biscuits contains whole wheat flour, edible vegetable oil, sugar, liquid glucose, clarified butter, milk and milk products, salt, leavening agents [500 (i), 503 (ii), dough conditioner (IN 223), antioxidants (IN 319), emulsifier IN 322, flour treatment agent (IN 450 vi) and artificial flavour (milk/vanilla).
This is a HFSS (High Fat Salt or Sugar) product and therefore is not recommended for children or people at risk of lifestyle diseases. Healthy people must also consume HFSS products very sparingly. The HFSS calculation for this product is as per UK guidelines available here – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/216094/dh_123492.pdf
The product contains 3.47 gm sugar per 17 gm serving (approx 20% of this product is sugar). This is high and unsuitable for children, those who are overweight, have diabetes and lifestyle diseases.
The product is about 17 percent fat and has over 20 percent sugar. So caution is advised amongst people who are at risk of lifestyle diseases and consume this as a “health” product.
The product attempts to position itself as a health product by the inclusion of clarified butter and milk, but we suspect that these ingredients must be minuscule in the product because it’s quantity is not mentioned on the label. This is clearly misleading information and many consumers may be fooled into thinking that the product has a high quantity of these ingredients.
This food product does not specify which edible vegetable oil has been used. We believe that it is not responsible behaviour for a brand to avoid clearly stating what ingredients have been used. Certain vegetable oils contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could be harmful in excess.
While reviewing this product we note that the product label does not specify the exact salt content in the product which is surprising since products like these usually contain a high amount of 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.
The foodnetindia rating for this product :-
foodnetindia safety rating: 3- (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
This product is a HFSS product and cannot be recommended for consumption by the majority of the people.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating: 3 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
HFSS products like these need to be avoided by those who are overweight and have lifestyle diseases.
Ingredients of Concern in Patanjali Doodh Biscuits
Sugar
Liquid Glucose
Salt
Edible Vegetable Oil
Added Flavour- Artificial flavour (Milk/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.
Liquid Glucose
Glucose syrup, also known as confectioner’s glucose, is a syrup made from the hydroyisis of starch. Glucose is a sugar.
Excessive sugar consumption is linked to a wide variety of metabolic diseases.
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.
Edible Vegetable Oil
This food product does not specify which edible vegetable oil has been used. We believe that it is not responsible behaviour for a brand to avoid clearly stating what ingredients have been used.
Certain vegetable oils contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could be harmful in excess. Excess polyunsaturated fats may react with oxygen and oxidised Omega-6 fats can damage body functions and perhaps even vital structures like DNA. In addition, consumers need clear information about the type of vegetable oil used, so that they can take action to maintain a healthy balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid consumption.
In addition, some people may be allergic to specific oils. Food allergies can sometimes be life threatening.
Added Flavour- Artificial flavour (Milk/Vanilla)
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:
- Whole wheat flour,
- Clarified butter,
- Milk and milk products,
- Leavening agents [500 (i), 503 (ii),
- Dough conditioner (IN 223),
- Antioxidants (IN 319),
- Emulsifier IN 322,
- Flour treatment agent (IN 450 vi)
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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