Beware while buying packaged food

Now days, packed foods are gaining popularity in our day to day life as its saves lot of time and efforts in preparing it. It is commonly popular among the students and employees migrated to a city for their studies and jobs. These packaged foods are mostly ready to eat and last for longer period under specified conditions.

The major question arises, Are packaged foods are really good for health?
National Consumer Helpline is sharing some useful tips while buying packaged food as follows:

1. Check expiry dates use before, best before date, month and year before purchase.
2. Non-vegetarian, vegetarian food package should display brown and green symbol respectively.
3. List of ingredients to be declared in descending order of ongoing weight or volume.
4. The amount of the nutrient for which a health claim is made has to be declared on the label.
5. Where Oil / Ghee (Hydrogenated Vegetable Fat) is used in preparation of any food, the declaration that it contains Trans fatty Acid (Trans Fat should) be given on the label.
6. Packaged water/mineral water must have ISI mark
7. Every packaged food product should have name and address of manufacturer, packer, importer, costumer care address, phone number, E-mail address.
8. Packaged food articles must be properly sealed.
9. Canned food articles should be free from leaks, cracks and Bulging.
10. Always check the pack or the container whatever you buy visually. Check if the packets are not puffed or cans are not rusted.
11. In case of food with shelf - life of now more than seven days, the date of manufacture may not be required to be mentioned on the label of packaged food articles, the use by date shall be mentioned on the label by the manufacturer of packer.
Make sure the packaged foods are produced from well known or trusted company for its quality. Check the manufacturing data and expiry date on packet and ingredients. Prefer to buy the fresh and recently produced food.

Always try to buy foods without preservative or class-I preservative.

If we follow above 11 guidelines by National Consumer Helpline, one can lead a healthy and safe living.
If you are unsatisfied about the solution from any company or service providers, then you can raise your voice to the National Consumer helpline and register the complaints online.
Website: www.nationalconsumerhelpline.in
Toll Free Number: 1800 11 4000