Summary Feedback
Sunfeast Nice contains wheat flour, sugar (26.4%), refined palm oil, edible desiccated coconut, invert syrup, milk solids, starch, raising agents (IN 503 (ii), IN 500 (ii), IN 450 (i)), coconut milk powder, edible common salt, emulsifiers (In 322(i), IN 471), and flour treatment agent (IN 223), synthetic food colour (IN 102, IN 124) and added flavours (artificial flavouring substances-coconut, vanilla, milk).
It contains 31.7 gm sugar per 100 gm of the product. High sugar content is unsuitable for those battling diabetes, lifestyle disease and obesity issues and also for all those who want to live a fit and healthy life.
The product label says that it contains salt but does not mention the exact amount of it which is a case of mislabelling on the side of the brand. We call upon the brand to clarify its stand on it.
It contains a high amount of fat at 16.9 gm per 100 gm of the product.
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 product contains an unspecified artificial flavoring substance, consumers need clear information on what they are consuming as some may be sensitive to the additives present in the ingredients.
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: 2 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
This product is an HFSS product (High Fat/Salt/Sugar) and is not recommended as a safe snacking product for kids and adults.
The product has misleading labelling as it did not specify the amount of salt in the product.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating : 3 (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, and only by healthy individuals.
The product labelling is misleading because it did not mention the exact amount of salt in it.
Ingredients of concern in Sunfeast Nice
- Sugar
- Invert syrup,
- Salt
- Synthetic Food Colour Tartrazine IN 102 and IN 124
- Added flavours (artificial flavouring substances-coconut, vanilla, milk)
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.
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.
Added Synthetic Colour
Tartrazine- IN 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.
Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red) IN 124
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.
Added flavours (artificial flavouring substances-coconut, vanilla, milk)
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:
- Wheat flour
- Refined palm oil
- Edible desiccated coconut
- Milk solids
- Starch
- Raising agents [IN 503 (ii), IN 500 (ii), IN 450 (i)]
- Coconut milk powder
- Emulsifiers (In 322(i), IN 471)
- Flour treatment agent (IN 223)
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.
Replies, if any, from the brand, will be published here ‘As and is’