Marking
Total soluble solids in American Garden was found
slightly less than the prescribed legal limit. Total soluble solids was found more than the prescribed legal limit in all the other brands. Weikfield had the highest amount at 15.67 per cent.
Acidity (as Acetic Acid)
Acetic acid or vinegar is added in mustard sauce for acidity. Acidity gives taste to the sauce and also works as a preservative. If acidity (acetic acid) is lower than the minimum limit, microbes will begin to grow, allowing contamination of the product and reducing its shelf life. As per FSS Regulations, acidity (as acetic acid) content should be not less than one per cent in culinary sauce. Acidity (as acetic acid) was above the prescribed limit
in all brands.
Preservative (Benzoic Acid)
Benzoic acid is a most widely used food increases the shelf life of the product and prevents the deterioration of nutritional values, taste and odour, and microbial contamination. As per FSS Regulations, benzoic acid should not be more than 750 ppm (parts per million) in culinary sauce. The regulations make it mandatory for brands to declare any added preservative on the label. Since a higher quantity of preservative is not desirable, lower is better for consumers. No preservative (benzoic acid) was found in American Garden and Fun Foods. These brands have also not declared the presence of any preservative on the label. This is good for consumers. In all other brands, sodium benzoate was found below
the prescribed legal limit.
Yeast and Mould
The following information shall be clearly and indelibly marked on the label of each container/ packet as per Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations and Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules: a) b) c) d) Name of the product Trade name, if any Name and address of manufacturer/importer Batch or code number Glass is a better packaging material because it does not react with the food product. Glass is also eco-friendly. Among the brands we tested, only Weikfield was in glass jar. The others were in plastic bottle.