Kwality Wall's to Eliminate Palm Oil from Frozen Desserts by 2027
Kwality Wall's Transition to Dairy-Based Desserts
Kwality Wall's has announced its plan to replace palm oil in its frozen desserts with dairy ingredients, aiming for a complete transition by 2027. This brand has held a significant share of India's ice cream market, despite its products being classified as frozen desserts rather than traditional ice cream. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), authentic ice cream must contain at least 10% real dairy milk and milk fats, which allows it to be labeled as 'ice cream'. In contrast, frozen desserts often use vegetable oils, which are less expensive than dairy fats. Brands producing frozen desserts are required to disclose their use of oils and similar ingredients on their packaging.
With Kwality Wall's shift towards all-dairy products, consumers can now learn how to identify which of their favorite ice cream or frozen dessert brands are genuinely dairy-based versus those that contain hydrogenated oils. Here are some tips to check at home.
Check the Ingredients
Check the Ingredients
As health-conscious choices become increasingly important for consumers, it's essential to develop the habit of reading labels—not just for ice cream but for all packaged items in your pantry. When it comes to ice cream, authentic products will list milk, cream, or milk solids among their ingredients. If you see terms like 'hydrogenated vegetable oil', 'edible vegetable fat', 'palm oil', 'palm kernel oil', or 'palm olein', you are likely consuming a product made with sweetened, partially frozen oils, which should ideally be avoided.
Melt Test for Authenticity
Melt Test for Authenticity
This method is straightforward. Leave a scoop of your ice cream at room temperature for about an hour. Genuine ice cream will melt into a creamy, milk-like consistency, while those containing palm oil will liquefy into a thin, watery substance.
The Water Test
The Water Test
If you're still uncertain about the presence of palm oil in your ice cream, take the melted product and mix it with warm water in a glass. Authentic ice cream will blend smoothly, creating a milky liquid. In contrast, ice creams containing palm oil will separate, leaving an oily film on the surface.
Health Risks of Palm Oil
Health Risks of Palm Oil
The ongoing discussions about palm oil and the need for public awareness are well-founded. A report from Harvard Health indicates that palm oil is approximately 50% saturated fat. The way palm oil is commonly used in products can lead to overconsumption, which may elevate LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and triglycerides, increasing the risk of heart-related issues. Additionally, wellness brand Svasthyaa notes that when palm oil is processed or heated excessively, it can produce harmful compounds that may pose carcinogenic risks.
The primary reason for the widespread use of palm oil in packaged goods is its low cost and ability to solidify at room temperature, which extends shelf life. Many common supermarket items, including potato chips, instant noodles, crackers, packaged breads, cookies, pastries, chocolate spreads, ice creams, and desserts, often contain palm oil. While occasional indulgence is generally acceptable, if these ingredients are a regular part of your diet, it may be time to reconsider your choices.