We have been reading a lot of news lately about the Frozen Desserts on the unhealthy fats like “Dalda” that is being used. We did a quick research and found some information that we thought will be useful for you.
How many of us can definitively distinguish between an ice-cream and a frozen dessert for that matter? Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has categorised cold treats or ice-creams into “Frozen Desserts” and “Ice Creams”. Many of the cold treats that we enjoy from prestigious brands in India might technically fall under “frozen dessert” category.
So let us understand what frozen desserts are all about.
Frozen Desserts and Ice Creams have many common ingredients. Both can contain milk solids, sweetening agents (be it sugar or liquid glucose), stabilisers, emulsifiers, colours and flavours. They do differ in types of oils, fats and proteins, though.
Ice Creams only contain dairy protein and fats, and it’s a fallacy that frozen dessert does not contain milk products. Frozen desserts do contain milk solids, sweetener, inclusions like chocolate, fruit pieces and nuts depending on the product. The other core ingredient in the frozen dessert that makes it less in saturated fat is vegetable oil and not hydrogenated vegetable oil.
You will find it surprising to know that about 75% of the Ice Cream manufactured in Italy contains vegetable oil/fat. They definitely consider the consumer expectations and meet up to the product experience though.
It is mandatory in India to label the category as Frozen Desserts/Frozen Confections and also declare “made with vegetable oil/fat” on every package.
Now let me take you through what variations these ingredients bring in to the Frozen Desserts when compared with Ice Creams. The saturated fat (known as ‘bad fat’) is generally lower in vegetable oil/fat when compared with dairy fat.
So, if you are enjoying a frozen dessert – do not fret about not having the `real’ thing – you are in all probability enjoying a less fatty ice cream experience!
Vegetable fats by nature will never have any cholesterol in them. Hence, frozen desserts made with vegetable fat will not have cholesterol in them.
It’s also important to note that we need to read the product labels to identify products that contain Vanaspati/Dalda also known as hydrogenated vegetable oil/fat.As per FSSAI packaging and labelling regulations, the food which contains hydrogenated vegetable fats or bakery shortening should declare ‘hydrogenated vegetable fats or bakery shortening used- contains trans fats’ on the label. Do look out for these words on the package if you want to be cautious and avoid consuming products that contain hydrogenated vegetable oil/fat.
Frozen Dessert is believed to a healthier dessert option when compared to Ice Creams due to comparatively lower contents of saturated fats, zero cholesterol and trans fat content. So next time you buy these irresistible frozen desserts, do check the labels for hydrogenated vegetable oil/fat and enjoy them.