Summary Feedback
Ritz Cracker Biscuits contains wheat flour, non hydrogenated vegetable oil (palm oil), sugar, high fructose syrup, raising agents E503(ii), E500(ii), salt, stabilizer E341(i), emulsifier (soy lecithin), flour treatment agents/ enzymes (amylase & protease).
The product contains 13.3 gm sugar in a 100 gm serving size pack which is high and not suitable as a snack for those with high blood sugar and lifestyle diseases.
It contains 0.97 gm salt (388 mg sodium) in a 100 gm pack which is high and takes you almost to the recommended salt intake for the whole day. 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.
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.
The foodnetindia rating for this product :-
foodnetindia safety rating: 4 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very
safe)
This product is an HFSS product (High Fat Salt or Sugar) and is not recommended as a safe snacking product.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating : 4 (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
This is an HFSS product and may be sparingly eaten as a part of an otherwise wholesome meal plan by healthy individuals.
Ingredients of concern in Ritz Cracker Biscuits
Sugar
Salt
High Fructose Syrup
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.
High Fructose Syrup
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS),is also called glucose-fructose, isoglucose and glucose-fructose syrup. It is a sweetener made from corn starch. To make HFCS, corn syrup is processed by glucose isomerase to convert some of its glucose into fructose. As a sweetener, it is compared to granulated sugar, but manufacturing advantages of HFCS over sugar include that it is easier to handle and more cost-effective. HFCS is used in processed foods and breakfast cereals, and in soft drinks.
Other ingredients that are in the product but not a major source of concern in our opinion are:
- Wheat flour,
- Non hydrogenated vegetable oil (palm oil),
- Raising agents E503(ii), E500(ii),
- Stabilizer E341(i),
- Emulsifier (soy lecithin),
- Flour treatment agents/ enzymes (amylase & protease).
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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