Summary feedback
Sunfeast Marie Light is a popular biscuit in India.
However, while reviewing this product we note that in 100 gm of this biscuit there is a high amount of sugar at 25.5 gm of sugar per 100 gm pack. I has 444 calories with a large portion from simple carbohydrates and sugars. This high amount of sugar and simple starches is bad news for diabetics, obese people and those with lifestyle diseases. It also contains 11 gm of fat from an edible vegetable oil-palm oil.
Sunfeast Marie Light Oats contains palm oil as one of the ingredients which is generally a safe oil as unlike most other vegetable oils, palmolein is primarily saturated fat, it is better suited for cooking. 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: 4 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
In India snacks like biscuits, are consumed in large quantities in every household which leads to piling of calories from simple starches and sugars quickly.
This biscuit contains 25.5 gm sugar per 100 gms and over 50 percent of its calories are from sugar and simple carbohydrates, which is high. High simple starch and sugar consumption is unsafe for diabetics and those who are trying to lose weight.
We recommend that this product must only be consumed in very small quantities and that too not by the obese or by people at risk of diabetes.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating : 3 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
This product contains wholesome milk solids and oats however it cannot be considered as a meal replacement choice as it has poor nutrient diversity and is high in sugar and simple starches. These should be eaten only in small quantities as a part of an otherwise wholesome meal plan; and that too only by the healthy.
Ingredients of Concern in Sunfeast Marie Light
- Sugar
- Salt
- Added flavours (Artificial flavouring substances- Milk, Vanilla and Butter)
- Permitted Natural Colours: IN 150d
- Invert syrup
Sugar
This food product contains 25.5 gm sugar per 100 gm of the product. It 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.
Added Flavours (natural, nature-identical flavouring substances, artificial flavouring substances)
This food product does not specify which flavouring substances have been used. It should be specified as some of them have serious side effects and may not be suitable for infants, pregnant women or people who are allergic. We believe that it is not responsible behaviour for a brand to avoid clearly stating what ingredients have been used.
By not specifying what these flavouring substances are, we are forced to consider what they are hiding and why would they be so reluctant to mention what they have used in the food product!
By this behaviour, these manufacturers expose people to possible allergens or toxins that could be avoided if consumers knew what they were.
Permitted Natural Colours IN 150D
Complex brown colour mixtures, made by dry heating and burning of sugars in the presence of alkali, ammonia, sulphite or combinations thereof. It is a brown to black colour. Soluble in water and with a specific, sometimes bitter, taste.
Side effects are manifested from the use of IN 150d, where intestinal problems may occur after ingestion of large amounts. Due to the complex nature of the mixtures, toxicology tests are still being carried out.
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.
Other ingredients that are in the product but not a major source of concern in our opinion are:
- Wheat Flour (61%),
- Refined Palm Oil,
- Milks Solids,
- Oat Flakes (1.5%),
- Raising Agents (INS 503(ii)
- INS 500(ii),
- INS 4509i)),
- Wheat Fiber (0.5%),
- Emulsifier(INS 322(I),
- INS 471),
- Malt Extract,
- Dough Conditioner (INS 223) And Improver (INS 1101(I))
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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