Hyderabad: The sugar in cream based branded biscuits manufactured in India is usually above 25-30 grams per 100 grams, and the fat content is 20 gram per 100 grams, according to a report by the Consumer Education and Research Centre. The World Health Organisation’s recommended level is less than 20 grams for both.
The report has been submitted to the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) with the advice that the WHO recommendation must be adhered to.
Random samples of branded biscuits were tested in the laboratory. The sugar content in popular cream biscuits was as high as 33.3 g per 100 g.
Pritee Shah of CERC said that six leading biscuit bands in India have fat content as high as 20 g/100 gramms.
“These are trans-fats such as ghee and butter. The recommended daily allowance for sugar according to the World Health Organisation is 25 g per day. Those who are eating biscuits are adding a lot of hidden sugars to their system, which is harming their health,” she says.
“The evening snack is tea and biscuits for most people at home and also at office. In corporate offices we find that those who work in shifts munch on biscuits when they have worked for longer hours. Biscuits are made of refined flour or maida. A single piece of biscuit contains 45 calories. If an individual has had 10 biscuits then it equates to a full thali meal of 450 or 500 calories. This is the extra weight a lot of people are adding to themselves," explains nutritionist Sunitha Premlatha.
