Consumers! Beware of Junk

Food is an essential part of life. Survival, growth and development of living beings depend on food. Food is also a part of enjoyment. There are numerous food cultures and traditions in the world. The regular intake of nutritious food in adequate quantity and quality is crucial for development of normal human beings. The role of nutrients and micro-nutrients are vital.

Quality food ensures proper growth and healthy body whereas low quality food is injurious to health and disturbs the development of body. Quality foods are those with proper nutrients in adequate amount and which are free of adulteration. In our country there is a tradition of providing Nepal Standard to quality food. Therefore the foods, which have Nepal Standard marks, are considered quality food. There are certain criteria that determine whether the food is of good quality or not.

Nowadays, consumption of junk foods and fast foods are increasing. Junk foods have low nutritive value and have no good impacts on human health. People prefer junk foods for many reasons. Nepalese love tangy taste, which is provided by noodles. Many school going children have become habituated to junk foods like chow-chow (noodles), biscuits, cheese balls, soft drinks etc. Many guardians have very little time to prepare lunch package for their children. So they favor junk foods because they are cheaply available and can be instantly consumed. Children are fascinated by the advertisements of different noodles, biscuits and cheese balls in newspapers, televisions and other media. The flavour, attractive food packaging, different stickers of celebrities and fascinating small playthings kept inside the food packaging also enthrall children. Many consumers also lack knowledge about bad effect of junk foods.

There are innumerable brand of noodles and biscuits. Instant noodles are more popular among people than biscuits. There are sundry brand of noodles. There is fierce competition between different brands of noodles for selling their products. These food manufacturers are competing to popularize their brand among consumers. Producers have kicked off new marketing policy. Different brand of noodles offer freebies like motor bike, diamond necklace, car, cash ranging from few rupees to lakhs, maruti car and other many expensive items to attract people. If a person has a good fate then he can win these free offers by spending a few rupees. Soft drinks are also very popular among people. The companies manufacturing such food stuffs sponsor many television programs, sports clubs, inter-school competitions, national competitions to popularize their brands.

Junk and fast food industries belong to high-risk category. High pressure steaming, high temperature baking and frying are extensively used in addition to other processes like thawing, blanching,

rendering, proofing and sterilizing. Any flaw in any one of the processes is hazardous. In addition to problems related to health and hygiene, clusters of risks are common in fast food preparation. These are related to use of low grade food, destruction of or degradation in nutrients present in food due to high heating during food preparation, altered palatability due to non-enzymatic browning (Maillard) reaction or other processes to have off-flavors and off-colors, and production of potentially toxic and mutagenic substances. In addition, these foods are too fatty and with low roughage. Millard reaction is deliberately used by manufacturers to improve the taste and look. But the reaction produces inert and water-insoluble polymers of carbohydrates and proteins substantially reducing bioavailability of the food. There is disproportionate nutrient density especially of fats, protein and sugar. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and brain, heart and kidney problems tend to be common among those addicted to junk foods and bottled/tinned foodstuffs.

Junk food lack vital nutrients. The habitual junk food eater in long term may be affected by malnutrition. If the children are habituated to junk food then their physical and mental development is affected. The consumption of junk foods needs to be controlled. Many schools have taken a small step to prevent children from taking junk food by prohibiting such food in school compound and encouraging home made food. Parents also need to discourage their children to take junk foods. Consumers must be made aware of bad effects of junk food.