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Pillsbury Cookie American Style Brownie chocolate chips contains sugar, wheat flour, whole eggs, humectants (In 422, In 420), edible vegetable oil (palm), invert syrup, cocoa solids (2.5%), dark compound choco chips (2.5%) (sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil (palm), cocoa solids, emulsifier (IN 322, IN 491), dextrose), starch, calcium carbonate, emulsifiers (IN 471, IN 322), iodized salt, baking powder, preservatives (IN 282, IN 200), colour (In 150c), modified starch (IN 1422), acidity regulator (IN 260, IN 262(i), natural and nature identical flavouring substances (vanilla, chocolate), and permitted class II preservatives (IN 282, 200).
The product contains a high amount of sugar at 6.7 gm per 20 gm serving of the product which is high and not recommended for kids and adults as the WHO recommended amount of sugar intake for kids is less than 25 gm or 6 teaspoons a day.
It contains 2.1 gm fat in a 20 gm serving of the product.
It contains edible vegetable oil, certain vegetable oils contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could be harmful in excess.
The product contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, partially Hydrogenated and Hydrogenated fats are a source of trans fatty acids or “transfats”, which are harmful to health. Transfats increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other ailments.
It contains palmolein oil which 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, a scientific report suggests 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.
Products like these are aggressively marketed to kids, but such HFSS foods are not recommended for children. FSSAI has banned school cafeterias from selling or supplying such HFSS foods. The ban and the school guidelines of the FSSAI can be seen here at – https://archive.fssai.gov.in/dam/jcr:b986ccf3-85b4-446a-9f13-ca1d960b0685/Order_Draft_Guidelines_School_Children.pdf
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 foodnetindia rating for this product :-
foodnetindia safety rating: 3 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
This is a HFSS (high fat, or sugar or salt) product and not safe for regular snacking especially for kids as childhood obesity is rising among kids. The product contains 6.7 gm sugar in a 20 gm serving of the product which is extremely high and unsuitable for kids as the WHO recommended amount of sugar intake for kids is less than 25 gm or 6 teaspoons a day.
Also it is not suitable for adults who are obese and have lifestyle diseases.
The product contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, partially Hydrogenated and Hydrogenated fats are a source of trans fatty acids or “transfats”, which are harmful to health. Transfats increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other ailments.
It contains edible vegetable oil, certain vegetable oils contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could be harmful in excess.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating: 4 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
The product is getting a low rating as it is a HFSS (high fat or sugar or salt) product which is not suitable for the consumption of kids and adults alike except in very small servings and only for the healthy. The product contains 6.7 gm sugar in a 20 gm serving of the product which is extremely high and unsuitable for kids as the WHO recommended amount of sugar intake for kids is less than 25 gm or 6 teaspoons a day.
The product contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, partially Hydrogenated and Hydrogenated fats are a source of trans fatty acids or “transfats”, which are harmful to health. Transfats increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other ailments.
It contains edible vegetable oil, certain vegetable oils contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could be harmful in excess.
Ingredients of concern in Pillsbury American Style Brownie
- Sugar
- Invert Syrup
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil
- Edible Vegetable Oil
- Added Colour 150c
Sugar
This food product does not specify which sugar has been used. This is also 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.
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Partially Hydrogenated and Hydrogenated fats are a source of trans fatty acids or “transfats”, which are harmful to health. Transfats increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other ailments.
Transfats are toxic and some cities like New York have banned them from use in restaurants.
Transfats have been shown to consistently be associated, in an intake-dependent way, with risk of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death. They may also be responsible for alzheimer’s disease, cancer, liver disease and many more ailments.
Hydrogenated fat is widely used. We see it listed in the ingredients of margarine, biscuits, cakes, frozen meals, fried foods, sweets, crisps, fish fingers and many dairy products. It’s popular with food manufacturers because it gives food structure and does not feel or taste oily.
Edible Vegetable Oil
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, some people may be allergic to specific oils. Food allergies can sometimes be life threatening.
Added Colour- Caramel III – Ammonia caramel: IN 150c
It adds or restores colour to the food. It is a dark brown to black liquid or solid having an odour of burnt sugar. The function(s) performed by the food additive when used in cooking. It has been linked to gastro intestinal problems, hypersensitivity, safety suspect.
Ingredients present in Pillsbury Cookie Cake Tutti Frutti which are not a concern:
- Wheat flour,
- Whole eggs,
- Humectants (In 422, In 420),
- Palm oil,
- Cocoa solids (2.5%),
- Dark compound choco chips (2.5%) (palm),
- Cocoa solids,
- Emulsifier (IN 322, IN 491), Dextrose),
- Starch,
- Calcium carbonate,
- Emulsifiers (IN 471, IN 322),
- Iodized salt,
- Baking powder,
- Preservatives (IN 282, IN 200),
- Modified starch (IN 1422),
- Acidity regulator (IN 260, IN 262(i),
- Natural and nature identical flavouring substances (vanilla, chocolate),
- Permitted class II preservatives (IN 282, 200)
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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