Recently FSSAI has sent notices to some companies including Lotte India and Ferns N Petals regarding the labels and claims of their products. It is alleged that such information was given on some products, which may confuse the customers. In such a situation, this case is also a lesson for the people that while buying chocolate or candy, do not just trust the glitter of the packet or the big claims, but also read its label and ingredients.

While buying chocolate, definitely check things like ingredients used in it, amount of sugar, type of fat, serving size and expiry date. If you eat chocolate with too much sugar, poor quality fat or excessive additives without noticing, then in the long run it can lead to obesity, dental problems, risk of increased blood sugar and heart health can also be adversely affected. Therefore, it is better to buy chocolate of your choice only after reading the correct information.

What to look for before buying chocolate?

Most people look directly at the nutrition chart, whereas the most important information is in the ingredients list. In this, the things whose name is written first have the highest quantity. If sugar, glucose syrup or any other type of sugar is written in the beginning itself, then understand that the amount of sweetness in the product is high.

Why pay attention to fat?

Not every chocolate is the same. In some chocolates, hydrogenated vegetable fat or other vegetable fat is used instead of cocoa butter. This can make a difference in both taste and quality. Therefore, please check the fat information before purchasing.

What to look for on the packet?

Seeing words like ‘premium’, ‘natural’, ‘real fruit’ or ‘made with milk’, many people buy the product without thinking. But sometimes these are used only for marketing. Therefore, it is wiser to read the complete information instead of relying only on the claims written on the front.

Also pay attention to artificial colors and flavors

Colorful candies easily attract children, but artificial colors and flavors can be added to them. These are used within prescribed limits, yet if you prefer foods with less additives, you can take the right decision by reading the labels.

Why should one see the source?

Just looking at total sugar on the label is not enough. Sometimes sugar is written in different names like glucose syrup, fructose, dextrose, maltose or corn syrup. If multiple forms of sugar are present in the same product, it means that it may contain a lot of added sugar.

Disadvantages of eating bad chocolate

• Frequent consumption of chocolate containing poor quality fat and high sugar can increase the risk of obesity.
• Eating too much trans fat or hydrogenated fat can increase heart risk.
• Eating chocolate with too much sugar can increase the blood sugar level rapidly, which can increase the risk of diabetes.
• In some people, excess additives, artificial colors or flavors can cause problems like stomach pain, gas or indigestion.
• Consuming sweet chocolate frequently and not brushing teeth properly increases the risk of cavities and tooth decay.