Potato Chips (Salted)

EThe crispy, crunchy deliciousness of potato chips makes them a difficult-to-resist temptation, however health-conscious one may be. Positioned as a ‘cool’ munch by marketers/advertisers, it is perhaps the most visible instant snack today. Not surprising, too, considering it comes in all sizes and a range of affordable prices. Of course, it is no health food and there is growing concern about the salt part of these munchies. Entirely eliminating it from one’s diet or only reducing the consumption of it is a matter of choice. Among other things, the following report ascertains the salt percentage of five popular brands of potato chips. ating potato chips occasionally is unlikely to negatively impact one’s overall health, but consuming it regularly will translate into consuming too many unhealthy ingredients and not enough vitamins and minerals. While potatoes themselves contain potassium and vitamin C, frying them in unhealthy oils can strip these nutrients away. Knowing the negative impact that potato chips can have may persuade one to frequently opt for a nutritious snack.

There is no specification for potato chips in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, leaving these in the category of ‘proprietary food’. As per Section 22 (4) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, proprietary or novel food means an article of food for which standards have not been specified but is not unsafe. As per Regulation 2.12.1 of the Act, proprietary food means food that has not been standardized under the regulations.