Chips are high in fat and salt but the fat content in most brands was above the range recommended by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). A higher than stipulated fat content is an even bigger cause for concern. The sodium content was also quite high as per the guidelines of the Food Standards Agency, UK. Both these factors have adverse effects on health. Excess fat can lead to obesity, heart disease and cancer. Excess salt means excess sodium and it can cause high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Thirteen brands weighed less than the labelled weight. Inadequate labelling information in some brands was another finding.

The essential ingredients of potato and banana chips as per BIS are potatoes and mature unripe bananas, respectively, besides edible oil or fat (refined edible oil, edible hydrogenated vegetable oil or ghee, singly or in combination and containing permitted antioxidants) and salt.

The fat content was substantially above the specified range of 15-35 per cent of mass in nine brands of potato chips and only three brands of banana chips. Only one brand of potato chips, Lays, and four brands of banana chips, Sree Ram, Jalsa, A-1 and Balaji, were within the limits.

Among the potato chips brands, Sushma and Samrat recorded the highest fat content of 44 per cent. Among banana chips, again Sushma contained the highest amount of fat at 40 per cent. Another major finding was that the eight brands of potato chips and three brands of banana chips had high sodium content. Moisture as a percentage of weight should not be more than three per cent. One local brand, Induben potato chips, showed a moisture content of 4.5 per cent. The acid value of extracted fat was higher than the stipulated limit in Induben banana chips.

Chips also contain protein and carbohydrates. The protein content in the potato chips was found to be five to seven per cent and in banana chips, two to three per cent. The carbohydrate content in potato chips was 46-55 per cent and in banana chips, 52-63 per cent.

The calorific value of potato chips was between 537 and 590 Kcal /100 gm. In case of banana chips, it was 516 Kcal /100 gm. Four brands of potato chips and four brands of banana chips did not conform to the labelling requirements, as per Prevention of Food Adulteration, Rule 32.

At the time of purchasing samples, only one brand, Haldiram’s, gave additional nutritional information on the label. Now, however, some brands have started giving this information.

The chips were tested for the following parameters ? appearance, texture, flavour, mouth-feel and taste, and after taste. Among potato chips, Uncle Chipps ranked first, Sushma scored the lowest. Among the banana chips, Sree Ram scored a maximum with 68.2 per cent and Sushma scored the lowest with 56.2 per cent.

Five brands were found to be not complying with the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977. A lot of variation was found in the MRP (price) and packing size of different brands. For instance, Lays potato chips (net weight 115 gm) was priced at Rs 20. Balaji and Induben potato chips (net weight 180 gm) were priced at Rs 20.

Two samples of home-made chips were also tested and the fat content was found to be 27.2 per cent and 25.8 per cent ? much lower than ready-to-eat chips. Similarly, the sodium content was only 240.7 mg and 298.8 mg per 100 gm.

The results indicate that home-made chips are better for health.

KEY FINDINGS

Best buy: CERS recommends Lays as the best buy among the national brands of potato chips and Sushma among the regional brands. Among the regional brands of banana chips, A-1 and Balaji were equally good, though A-1 was lower in price by Rs 1.50 per 100 gm.

Fat content: The fat content was substantially above the specified range of 15-35 per cent in all the brands of potato chips except one (Lays). Four out of seven brands of banana chips ? Sree Ram, Jalsa, A-1 and Balaji ? conform to this parameter.

Sensory analysis: Among the potato chips, Uncle Chipps topped the list with a score of 76.8 per cent. Among the banana chips, Sree Ram was liked the most with a score of 68.2 per cent.

Nutritional value: Balaji and Lays potato chips contained the maximum amount of protein (seven per cent), Lays was found to have the highest carbohydrate content (55 per cent) and Samrat and Sushma, the maximum amount of energy (590 Kcal per 100 mg). Samrat, Balaji and Induben banana chips had the maximum protein content (three per cent), Sree Ram, the highest carbohydrate content (63 per cent) and Sushma, the maximum amount of energy (570 Kcal per 100 gm).