Are Lays and Kurkure Chips Made of Plastic? Debunking the Rumors
Introduction to the Rumors
In recent years, there has been widespread concern regarding the presence of plastic in commonly consumed snack foods such as Lays and Kurkure. These concerns often stem from misunderstandings or misinformation about the ingredients used in processed foods. As of my last update in August 2023, reputable food safety authorities and organizations have found no evidence to support the idea that these snacks contain actual plastic.Footage Snack Facts
Lays Chips: Thesedelectable crisps are simply potatoes cooked in oil, flavored with a blend of spices and herbs. They do not contain any metal or plastic. Kurkure Chips: While it's true that Kurkure chips can melt and burn upon exposure to extreme heat, this is not due to plastic content. Starch in the chips causes them to burn, just like other salty snacks. The so-called plastic-like substance is actually starch, a natural carbohydrate found in the ingredients.The Real Truth Behind the Kurkure Plastic Case
There has been a widespread rumor that Kurkure chips contain plastic. This misconception can be attributed to a mix of savvy marketing tactics and the general skepticism about processed foods. Here's the reality:The Kurkure that you see in your grocery store is made with five main ingredients: rice meal, edible vegetable oil, palm oil, corn meal, and gram meal. Additionally, it contains spices, condiments, salt, sugar, citric acid, tartaric acid, and milk solids. These ingredients are natural and safe for consumption.
Plastic is not only non-edible but also more expensive than these ingredients. The burning effect is due to the high carbohydrate and starch content, which is present in all salty snacks when burned.
The company has revamped the packaging to include the statement Made with Dal Corn and Rice, further clarifying the source of the ingredients. Therefore, the next time you reach for a packet of Kurkure, worry not—these snacks are safe to enjoy.
AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) also gave official clearance regarding the safety of Kurkure chips, adding to the credibility of the ingredients used.
Would They Make Chips Out of Plastic?
The idea that snack manufacturers would use plastic in their product is not only unethical but also impractical. Potato-based snack bags are made of plastic to maintain freshness and prevent damage. However, the chips themselves are purely made from natural ingredients like potatoes, rice, and other grains. It is impossible and costly to manufacture chips from plastic, as the natural ingredients provide sufficient durability and flavor.The Origin of the Rumor
The rumor linking Kurkure chips to plastic was initially started and spread by a new entrant in the snack market: Patanjali. Specifically, Baba Ramdev, the founder of Patanjali, began spreading these rumors through cheap publicity stunts, claiming that Kurkure chips burn like plastic and smell like plastic. However, these claims are based on misunderstandings and not scientific evidence.According to the Kurkure ingredients list, the chips are made from rice meal, edible vegetable oil, palm oil, corn meal, gram meal, spices, condiments, salt, sugar, citric acid, tartaric acid, and milk solids. These ingredients are all natural and safe for consumption. Plastic, on the other hand, is not only non-edible but also more expensive and not used in snack foods.
The burning effect is due to the high carbohydrate and starch content in the chips, which is present in all salty snacks when burned. This misconception can be attributed to the fact that the chips can indeed burn, but not because they are made of plastic. They burn due to the natural starch content.
So, if you enjoy Kurkure or similar snacks like Taka-Tak, Haldirams Krunchy Sticks, or others, you can rest assured that they are free from plastics and are edible. Regular consumption of these products is not considered healthy, but they are safe to eat as long as they are prepared and stored correctly.