According to a survey of convenience foods and ready-to-eat snacks offered around the world, nutrition researchers found that although four out of five of these foods meet the nutrition claims on their labels, the majority of their contents are made up of fats and carbohydrates.

According to the study, more than 70% of the calories in all sampled breakfast cereals, porridge mixes, soup mixes and health drink mixes contained carbohydrates. Drink mixes had the highest carbohydrate content, ranging from 35 to 95 grams per 100 grams.

According to the telegraph report, with an average of 15.8 grams of protein per 100 grams, the drink mixes studied had the highest protein levels. Idli mixes come in second with an average of 12.2 grams of protein per 100 grams. The highest average fat level was found in ready-to-eat extruded snacks made from seasoned corn, potatoes, soy, or wheat (28 g per 100 grams).

What does the study say?

“Our results highlight the need for reformulation of these convenience foods by the industry to reduce carbohydrates and increase protein content,” said RM Anjana, a doctor in Chennai who led the study published in the journal PLOS One.

“In the meantime, consumers should choose these foods carefully – preferably avoiding processed foods as much as possible,” added Anjana.

432 samples were chosen for the research by Anjana and her colleagues at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in Chennai from six different food categories: idli mixes, breakfast cereals, porridge mixes, soup mixes, health drinks and extruded snacks.

According to scientists, some products whose packaging indicated high levels of specific nutrients, such as protein or fiber, did not meet content standards set by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the regulatory authority. highest in the country. food regulatory agency.

Anjana also said that products that claim to contain whole grains but do not display them in their ingredient list, such claims are misleading. “That’s why consumers need to read the ingredients, not just the claims on packaging,” she said.

Market analysis

The study, funded by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology, coincides with market and industry projections of growing demand for ready-to-eat snacks and convenience foods across India due to factors such as increasing number of nuclear families, busy schedules and long commutes. and work schedules, as well as the desire for free time.

According to one market analysis, food industry revenue was $58 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow 9.5% annually between 2022 and 2027. According to another market research company, the market extruded snacks alone was valued at $570 million in 2021. 2023 and would reach $1 billion by 2032. India’s gross domestic production in 2023 was $3.55 trillion, for example.

Shobana Shanmugam, nutrition scientist at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and a member of the study team, said: “Most ready-made foods simply need to be heated or boiled in water and are ready to be consumed within minutes – this contributes to their popularity. »

“There is a need to rethink our convenience food matrix: we need extruded snacks with less fat, soups with less sodium and more fiber, as well as an overall increase in the content of protein from all these foods,” Shanmugam added.

She explained that, for example, by adding lentil ingredients, the protein content could be improved. This may impact the price, but it’s much better than eating unhealthy foods.

ALSO READ: Energy drinks have an impact on the health of children and adults: watch out for THESE harmful effects