May-June 2001

• We tested 8 brands of vanaspati - Dalda, Godrej, Madhuram, Rasadaa, Rath,Sarthi and Sunflower - and to loose samples purchased locally - LM and LG. We also tested Dalda Activ, the only brand of interesterified vegetable fat.
  
• We tested vanaspati against the limits set by the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act and according to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS); Dalda Activ was tested against the PFA Act. All were tested for correct weight against the PFA Act. All were tested for correct weight the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977.
  
• Sarthi did not conform to the Standards of Weights and Measures. Further, 15 our of the 20 packets weighed less than the labelled weight. For every pack of Sarthi you would have paid 11 paise more.
  
• Printing the expiry date on the label is compulsory as per the PFA Act. Rasadaa and Sarthi did not print the expiry date.
  
• Sarthi did not have the required amount of sesame oil as per the PFA Act.

Heavy Metals

• Nickel is a catalyst used during hydrogenation. It can be toxic. All the samples conformed to the PFA Act and BIS levels. Nickel was absent in Dalda Activ.
  
• Lead is poisonous. Sarthi was the only brand to show lead - 0.2 ppm - although it was within the limit set by the PFA Act.
  
• High levels of Free Fatty Acids (FFA) indicate rancidity which gives an off-flavour to vanaspati. Although all the samples conformed to the PFA Act and BIS, Rasadaa showed the highest level of FFAs at 0.2 per cent - higher even than the loose samples.
  
• At Rs. 18.80 for a pack, Rath was the lowest priced brand. Godrej and Rasadaa were priced the highest at Rs. 30. Dalda Activ at Rs. 19.50 for 450 gms was closer to Rath in price.

Rating and Ranking

• Dalda scored the highest at 86.
  

Details of the test report can be had in INSIGHT

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