Fat

Palm oil

A cheap, stable frying oil that is about half saturated fat. The most common fat in Indian packaged snacks.

Palm oil and its liquid fraction, palmolein, are the default frying and baking fats for much of India's packaged food because they are cheap and stable at high heat.

Why it matters

Palm oil is roughly 50% saturated fat, much higher than groundnut, sunflower or rice bran oil. It is also linked to deforestation.

CleanPlate verdict

Worth watching. Products fried in rice bran, groundnut or sunflower oil usually score better on fat quality.

Worth watching
CleanPlate rating
Also listed asPalm oil, Palmolein
TypeFat
RatingWorth watching
Rated products with it95
Look for any of these names or codes in the ingredient list.

Found in

Products we've rated that list Palm oil, best first.

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FatConcern

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil hardened by hydrogenation. Labels rarely say whether it is partially hydrogenated (trans fat) or fully hydrogenated (saturated fat).

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FatConcern

Partially Hydrogenated Oil

The main source of industrial trans fat. FSSAI has limited trans fat in oils and fats to 2% since 2022.

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Refined flourWorth watching

Maida

Refined wheat flour with the bran and germ removed. Low in fibre and quick to digest.

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