Ghee Comparative Test PDF

Comparative Test Ghee What’s in it for me? And is it adulteration-free? What do we need to test ghee for, you may wonder. Isn’t it a pure form of fat, with some essential properties for health? And it has a special place in India’s traditions,...

Comparative Test Ghee What’s in it for me? And is it adulteration-free? What do we need to test ghee for, you may wonder. Isn’t it a pure form of fat, with some essential properties for health? And it has a special place in India’s traditions, being used for cooking as well as religious rituals. Ghee did fell out of favour in recent times, what with the proliferation and popularity of refined oils in the majority of urban homes, but slowly and surely it is now starting to claim its place back thanks mainly to various studies endorsing its beneficial properties. It may even be termed as the emerging superfood of our times, becoming a hot thing not just in India but globally as well. With a bevy of brands leaving us consumers quite spoilt for choice, it may be useful to know the parameters with which to assess their quality and acceptability. A couple of findings from our test results may leave us somewhat surprised. For example, though ghee is expected to be rich in vitamin E, the same was below detection limit (0.50 mg/100 gm) in all the brands we tested. What about vitamin A then? And the other nutrients that ghee is so eulogised for? Read on to get the report on 14 leading ghee brands. A Consumer Voice Report A s per our standard procedure, we also happens to be the costliest (Rs 660 for 330 gm). undertook market research to identify The key parameters for which the ghee brands were the regular-selling brands of ghee across tested included milk fat, vitamins A and E, energy the country. We tested 14 brands (6 desi ghee brands and 8 cow ghee brands) on The samples were tested as per specification various quality, safety and acceptability parameters. laid out by FSS Regulations 2011, Agmark One brand, Navdanya, claims to be desi cow ghee and and Indian Standard IS: 16326:2015. 8  Ghee value and various fats. We also carried out a series of animal body fats, etc.). The testing was conducted at tests to check for adulteration (with vegetable fats, an NABL-accredited laboratory. Ghee means the pure clarified fat derived solely from milk or curd or from desi (cooking) butter or from cream to which no colouring matter or preservative has been added. To clarify means removal of unwanted solid matter or impurities. Due to variation in its composition from region to region and season to season, depending on the type of animal and the feed given, the establishment of its purity often involves elaborate analysis, as well as tests for its keeping quality. Ghee is a carrier of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, which our body needs in very small quantities but cannot make for itself. These vitamins perform many essential functions. Similarly, the essential fatty acids, which cannot be synthesised in our body, are also supplied by ghee. CV Recommendations | Top Performers Cow Ghee Patanjali | Gowardhan | Ksheer Desi Ghee Mother Dairy Value for Money Cow Ghee Ksheer Desi Ghee Ananda CONSUMER VOICE july 2017 9 Comparative Test BRANDS Rank Total Score out of 100 Brand MRP (Rs) Net Weight (rounded off) Cow Ghee 1 86 Patanjali 290 500 ml (452.5 gm) 1 86 Gowardhan 255 500 ml (452.5 gm) 1 86 Ksheer 470 1 litre (900 gm) 2 85 Anik 238 500 ml (449 gm) 2 85 Mother Dairy 260 (Rs 15 off) 500 ml (451gm) 3 84 Amul 450 1 litre (905 gm) 3 84 Paras 250 500 ml (450 gm) Desi Ghee 1 88 Mother Dairy 230 500 ml (451 gm) 2 87 Nestle Milkmaid 250 500 ml (449.5 gm) 2 87 Milkfood 228 500 ml (449 gm) 3 85 Ananda 440 1 litre (900 gm) 4 83 Madhusudan 230 500 ml (449 gm) 4 83 Amul 230 500 ml (452 gm) Desi Cow Ghee 88 Navdanya 660 330 gm Score Rating: >90: very good*****, 71–90: good****, 51–70: fair***, 31–50: average**, up to 30: poor* 10  Ghee TESTED Cost per 100 Agmark Best before Manufactured/Marketed by gm, Rs (Months) 58 - 9 months Patanjali Ayurved Ltd 51 - 12 months Parag Milk Foods Ltd 47 - 12 months Dharampal Satyapal Ltd 47.6 - 12 months Anik Milk Products Pvt. Ltd 52 - 8 months Mother Dairy Fruits & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd 45 Agmark special grade 9 months Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd 50 - 9 months VRS Foods Ltd 46 - 9 months Modern Dairies Ltd 50 Agmark special grade 9 months Nestle Milkmaid India Ltd 45.6 Agmark special grade 12 months Milk Food Ltd 44 Agmark special grade 9 months Gopaljee Dairy Foods Pvt. Ltd 46 Agmark special grade 9 months Creamy Foods Ltd 46 Agmark special grade 9 months Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd 200 - 12 months Navdanya Key Findings Based on the overall test findings, the top performers are Patanjali, Gowardhan and Ksheer in cow ghee category, and Mother Dairy in desi ghee category. The value-for-money brands are desi ghee Ananda and cow ghee Ksheer. All brands are safe for consumption. There was no adulteration with vegetable fat and animal fat. Most of the brands met the minimum requirements specified in the national standards. Vitamin A was highest in Gowardhan among cow ghee brands and in Nestle among desi ghee brands. Milk fat was found highest in Patanjali among cow ghee brands and in Nestle Milkmaid among desi ghee brands. BR reading of Anik and Amul was found to be lower than the specified value. Polenske value of Paras and Mother Dairy was found to be slightly lower than the specified limit. Beta-carotene was higher in cow ghee than in desi ghee. FSSAI number was not marked on Madhusudan pack. CONSUMER VOICE july 2017 11 Comparative Test TEST RESULTS  Vitamin A FOR PHYSICOCHEMICAL For vitamin A, the recommended dietary PARAMETERS allowance (RDA) for adults is 600 milligrams daily. As for our tests, we checked the samples for total of Milk Fat | Vitamin A | Peroxide Value | Moisture | Free vitamin A, which included vitamin A detected and Fatty Acid as Oleic Acid | Phytosterol Acetate Test | vitamin A converted from beta carotene. Presence of Animal Fats | RM Value | BR Reading | Vitamin A was highest in Gowardhan cow ghee Energy Value | Baudouin Test | Phenol phthalein Test | and lowest in Madhusudan desi ghee. Polenske Value | Coliform | Vitamin E | Cholesterol | Saturated Fat | Trans Fatty Acids | PUFA | MUFA Vitamin A from beta carotene was found to be higher in cow ghee than in desi ghee.  Milk Fat Fat is an essential part of any balanced diet,  Peroxide Value providing essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins This parameter is an indicator of rancidity in the and a concentrated source of energy. The minimum product. Peroxide value in ghee shall be a maximum 0.6. requirement for milk fat in ghee is 99.5 per cent. Peroxide value was below the specified limit in all the All the brands fulfilled the minimum requirement brands. Thus they all passed the test. for milk fat content. Among cow ghee brands, Patanjali (99.94 per  Moisture cent) had the highest amount of milk fat; among Moisture generally refers to the presence of desi ghee brands, it was Nestle Milkmaid (99.94 water in a product. Less amount of moisture is better per cent). as it translates into a longer shelf life. As per FSS 12  Ghee Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene Beta-carotene is a yellow/orange pigment found mostly in fruits and vegetables, especially carrot, mango, papaya, orange, apricot, melon, tomato, pumpkin and spinach. For beta carotene, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for an adult is 4,800 milligrams/day. The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A (retinol) – beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. Here are some of the key health benefits of vitamin A: It is critical for good vision. It plays an important role in healthy bone growth. It is essential for reproduction. It plays a role in cell division and cell growth. It supports the immune system. It supports skin health. Regulations, moisture content in ghee shall not be hydrolytic rancidity, though other lipid oxidation more than 0.5 per cent; as per Agmark, it shall not be processes can also produce acids. more than 0.3 per cent. Free fatty acids shall be a maximum three per cent. Moisture content in all the brands was less than All brands were within the specified limit. 0.3 per cent. Among the cow ghee brands, the lowest moisture  Energy Value content was in Patanjali (0.06 per cent), followed Energy value is the amount of calories which our by Mother Dairy (0.07 per cent). Among the desi body obtains from food. Energy value is expected to ghee brands, Nestle Milkmaid (0.06 per cent) had be higher in ghee. the lowest moisture content. Among the tested brands, energy value was highest in Patanjali and Nestle (both 899.46  Free Fatty Acid (FFA) as Oleic Acid (% by mass) kcal/100 gm). FFA is the percentage by weight of free acid groups in the oil or fat. Free fatty acids are an indication of The Adulteration and Purity Tests  Baudouin Test This test is to distinguish between desi ghee and vanaspati ghee. It may be noted that ghee adulteration with vanaspati, vegetable oils/fats and animal body fats is a key concern. Results of the Baudouin test shall be negative. All 14 brands passed the test.  Phenolphthalein Test The results are required to be negative. Phenolphthalein is used as indicator to detect possible adulteration in the ghee. All brands showed negative and thereby cleared the test. CONSUMER VOICE july 2017 13 Comparative Test  Phytosterol Acetate Test  Butyro Refractometer (BR) Reading (at 40 This test detects the adulteration of ghee with degrees Celsius) vegetable oils. Ghee is an animal fat and contains BR reading is the index of purity of ghee. An cholesterol, while all vegetable oils contain sterols of increase in BR reading indicates adulteration of ghee other types which are together termed phytosterols. with vegetable oil/animal body fat. Note that this test will not detect the presence of BR reading for Anik and Amul was found to be animal body fat, such as tallow and lard, in ghee, slightly lower than the specified limit. since these also contain cholesterol. All the brands turned in negative results for  Polenske Value adulteration and thus passed the test. Like the RM value, the Polenske value is also determined when examining fat. It is an indicator of  Presence of Animal Fats how much volatile fatty acid can be extracted from The ghee brands were tested for possible fat through saponification. adulteration with animal fat materials like tallow. Polenske values of Paras and Mother Dairy (cow Animal fat was not detected in any of the brands. ghee) were found to be lower than the specified range.  Reichert-Meissl (RM) Value The RM value is determined when examining fat. Coliform bacteria, the presence of which is an It is an indicator of how much volatile fatty acid can indicator of poor sanitation practices and/or be extracted from fat through saponification. water quality employed in the handling and processing stages, were not detected in any of All tested brands met the requirements set by the the ghee brands. national standards. 14  Ghee  Vitamin E Highest amount of trans fat was found in Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient found in many Madhusudan (3.37 gm/100 gm); it was lowest in foods. In the body it acts as an antioxidant, helping to Ananda (0.50 gm/100 gm). protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals.  PUFA In the test results, vitamin E was found below detection limit (0.50 mg/100 gm). Paras claimed Polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs, are found to contain 2.8 mg/100 gm, but this was not in plant and animal foods such as salmon, vegetable detected in our tests. oils and some nuts and seeds. Eating moderate amounts of polyunsaturated (and monounsaturated) The Fat of the Land fat in place of saturated and trans fats can benefit your  Cholesterol health. Polyunsaturated fats can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. Ghee is not recommended for individuals already suffering from high cholesterol. PUFA was found highest in Navdanya (4.95 gm/100 gm) and lowest in Mother Dairy cow ghee Nestle was found to have the highest amount of cholesterol (267.8 mg/100 gm); it was lowest in (2.07 gm/100 gm). Anik (251.0 mg/100 gm).  MUFA  Saturated Fat Both monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, and Saturated fats are derived from animal fat as well as PUFAs are referred to as the healthy fats. MUFAs are vegetable fat. Saturated fats directly raise total and LDL associated with lowering the level of bad cholesterol (bad) cholesterol levels. It is expected to be less in ghee. (LDL) and total cholesterol while also increasing the Saturated fat was found highest in Patanjali production of the good cholesterol (HDL). These fats (72.93 gm/100 gm) and lowest in Milkfood can be found in vegetable oils like canola, peanut and (65.68 gm/100 gm). olive oil, as well as in nuts. MUFA was found highest in Gowardhan (28.08  Trans Fatty Acids gm/100 gm) and Mother Dairy cow ghee (27.28 Trans fatty acids also raise the level of ‘bad’ gm/100 gm), and lowest in Patanjali (22.3 cholesterol in our blood. gm/100 gm). CONSUMER VOICE july 2017 15 Comparative Test PHYSICOCHEMICAL Cow Ghee Parameters ↓ Weightage Patanjali Gowardhan Ksheer Anik Mother Amul Paras (%) Dairy Milk fat 10 9.9 9.6 9.3 9.8 9.8 9.4 9.6 Vitamin A 7 6.79 7.0 5.09 6.86 6.07 5.07 6.46 Peroxide value 6 6 4.8 6 6 6 6 6 Moisture 5 4.93 4.7 4.48 4.85 4.85 4.63 4.7 Free fatty acid as oleic acid 5 3.92 4.20 4.18 4.23 4.33 4.9 3.38 Phytosterol acetate test 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Presence of animal fats 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 RM value 5 3.32 3.49 3.76 2.82 3.70 3.26 3.48 BR reading 5 3 3 4.5 1.5 3 3 3.0 Energy value 5 4.23 4.10 3.96 4.19 4.19 4.05 4.10 Baudouin test 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Phenolphthalein test 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Polenske value 4 2.44 3.28 2.88 2.88 1.64 2.04 1.84 Coliform 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Vitamin E 3 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 Cholesterol 3 1.86 1.86 1.62 2.07 1.62 1.76 1.94 Saturated fat 2.5 1.55 1.66 1.64 1.64 1.64 1.63 1.63 Trans fatty acids 2.5 2.16 2.08 1.94 1.86 2.05 1.73 1.99 PUFA 2 1.62 1.54 1.57 1.72 1.41 1.57 1.64 MUFA 2 1.38 1.85 1.70 1.58 1.78 1.66 1.70 FOR GENERAL QUALITIES e) Place of packing f) The words ‘Best before’  Marking/Labelling g) Batch or code or melt number The following details shall be marked on the h) MRP product label: i) FSSAI license number a) Name of product j) Customer-care details b) Net quantity (declared) Tins and plastic containers shall be marked with c) Name and address of manufacturer this instruction: ‘This container shall not be reused d) Date of packing for packaging oils and fats.’ Cow Ghee Parameters ↓ Weightage Patanjali Gowardhan Ksheer Anik Mother Amul Paras (%) Dairy Physical observations 6 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 Marking 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Packing 2 1.7 1.5 1.7 1.5 1.2 1.7 1.7 16  Ghee SCORES Desi Cow Desi Ghee Navdanya Mother Dairy Nestle Milkfood Ananda Madhusudan Amul 9.5 9.4 9.9 9.2 9.7 9.2 9.1 6.42 5.00 5.47 4.72 4.18 3.91 4.63 5.34 6 6 4.92 6 6 5.76 4.63 4.55 4.93 4.4 4.78 4.4 4.33 4.58 4.63 4.93 4.53 4.93 4.58 4.7 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 3.97 4.17 4.14 4.2 4.15 3.86 3.53 3 4.5 3 4.5 3 3 2.5 4.05 4.01 4.23 3.92 4.14 3.92 3.87 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3.96 3.56 2.84 3.64 2.24 3.68 2.04 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 1.89 1.99 1.57 1.99 1.82 1.59 1.76 1.61 1.63 1.56 1.71 1.59 1.64 1.70 2.26 2.02 2.26 2.18 2.38 1.66 2.05 1.99 1.55 1.44 1.88 1.42 1.67 1.92 1.53 1.70 1.60 1.73 1.72 1.65 1.70 The FSSAI mark was missing in the Madhusudan packet  Packaging Packaging plays an important role in maintaining consistent quality of the product and in preventing its deterioration. Anik and Gowardhan were packed in plastic boxes; Mother Dairy cow ghee was in a plastic pouch; and Navdanya was packed in a glass bottle. All other brands were in Tetra packs. Desi Cow Desi Ghee Navdanya Mother Nestle Milkfood Ananda Madhusudan Amul Dairy 6.0 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 3 3 3 3 3 2.5 3 2 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 CONSUMER VOICE july 2017 17 Comparative Test Physical Observations a) Ghee shall be free from excess moisture. b) On melting, the ghee shall be clear, transparent and free from sediment or foreign colouring matter. c) A good ghee sample should have well-developed granules dispersed fairly, thickly and uniformly over the entire mass. A bright yellow colour, caused by the presence of carotenoid pigments (beta carotene), is associated with cow ghee and constitutes a desirable criterion in areas where it is preferred. Buffalo ghee is white in colour. Sometimes, it may also have a greenish tinge depending on the region and feeding schedule. Ghee from mixed milk has a straw-yellow colour. The colour of fats always appears deeper to the eyes when melted than when in solid form. Physical observations on the 14 samples were made by laboratory scientists, checking for colour and texture and whether they were free from sediment and objectionable flavour. Navdanya was given the highest score. The other brands followed close behind and were given equal scores. Why Cow Ghee Is More Yellow It is because of the pigment (the natural colouring matter of animal or plant tissue) beta-carotene. Beta- carotene comes from the cows’ diet, which consists mostly of dried grass, grass, grains and cereals. The amount of beta-carotene in cow ghee depends on a few factors including cow’s breed; cow feed (grass-fed dairy produce contain more beta-carotene than cows that are fed grains); the season of the year; and the biological makeup of milk throughout the lactation period. Dear readers: We are open to hearing your suggestions on products and services that you believe should be reviewed/ tested by Team Consumer Voice. You may write to [email protected] 18