Is the ice cream you are having made of vegetable oil? 5 reasons to avoid it

Come summer, monsoon, or winter, one dessert we all crave is ice cream. Made mostly with milk, cream, and sugar, this is a sweet delight that melts in the mouth. Nowadays, the market is also flooded with vegan and sugar-free ice creams, which makes it a sheer treat for taste buds and health. But, do you know that the humble box of ice cream might contain trans fat, which can be dangerous for your health? Scroll down to read the details.

As per the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), ice cream, kulfi or softy ice-cream refers to as a concoction obtained by freezing a mix of milk and/or other products derived from milk, with or without the addition of sweetening agents, fruits, fruit products, and eggs, among other things. On the other hand frozen dessert is defined as a dish obtained by freezing a pasteurized mix prepared with milk fat and/or vegetable oils. It may also contain fat, milk protein, vegetable protein and sweetening agents.

Also Read: Ice Cream vs. Gelato: How are these two summer desserts different and their recipes

As per FSSAI, the use of edible vegetable oil is permitted in frozen desserts, but not in ice cream. The norms also state that companies using vegetable oil/fat or vegetable protein in ice cream must label their products as frozen desserts.

Regulation
As per FSSAI, the critical disparity between ice cream and frozen dessert lies in the fat sources utilized, with frozen desserts favouring vegetable fats like palm oil over dairy fats like milk fat.

Why is vegetable oil used in ice cream
As per experts, usually fat from milk is used to prepare ice cream. It is used to enhance the ice cream's taste, consistency, and texture. And there are companies that use vegetable oil (coconut oil, palm oil etc.), cocoa butter etc., as an alternative to milk fat. Companies choose alternatives for reasons such as reducing fat content, adding special flavours, availability of the alternative material at a lower price than milk fat, etc.

Is milk solid safe?
As per reports, frozen desserts do not contain real milk and mostly use milk solid. Milk solids or whole milk powder are likely to contain oxidised cholesterol, which may damage blood vessels and may be linked to heart diseases. So, it is certainly not healthy and not suitable for regular consumption.
How to know if ice cream is made of vegetable oil
As per FSSAI, if the main ingredients mentioned on the packet includes vegetable oil in any form, it is certainly not an ice cream, rather it falls in the category of frozen dessert. So, next time when you buy your favourite ice cream, make sure to read the label and be assured of what you are eating.

Side effects of consuming trans fatThe use of vegetable oil in ice cream and frozen dessert is likely to do only harm. It is likely to have trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, a type of unsaturated fat that occurs in small amounts in nature but is primarily produced through industrial processes. Take a look at their side effects.

Increases bad cholesterol (LDL): Trans fats raise levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which can lead to the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Decreases good cholesterol (HDL): Trans fats lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which helps remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, further contributing to cardiovascular risk.

Inflammation: Trans fats can trigger inflammation in the body, contributing to chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

Weight gain: Foods high in trans fats are often calorie-dense and low in nutritional value, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

Insulin resistance: Consuming trans fats can increase insulin resistance, raising the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

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