Cholesterol is a steroid that is associated with atherosclerosis and heart disease. It occurs in animals but not in plants or bacteria. Biochemically, cholesterol is of significance, because it is the precursor of a large number of equally important steroids that include the bile salts, adrenocortical hormones, sex hormones, vitamin D and others. Cholesterol is widely distributed in all cells of the body but particularly in nervous tissue. It is a major constituent of the plasma membrane and of plasma lipoproteins.
The two most important types of cholesterol are high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). LDL cholesterol is termed as “bad cholesterol”, whereas HDL cholesterol is termed “good cholesterol” because of their different effects on the body. Too much LDL cholesterol leads to blockage due to atherosclerosis (lipid deposition), especially in the coronary arteries supplying the heart, increasing the chances of heart attacks. HDL cholesterol removes cholesterol from the blood vessels and thereby reduces the chances of blockage and heart attacks.
In the context of food, animal sources such as egg yolk, red meat and whole-fat dairy products are rich in cholesterol, while vegetables, fruits, and grains contain none. Since red meats like mutton is very rich in cholesterol, it poses a threat to the cardiovascular system, as discussed above. Therefore, it is very important to limit the levels of cholesterol in our diet in order to lead a healthy life. It is for this very reason that we need to know how much cholesterol is being delivered along with our food.
The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011 has stipulated that the complete nutritional information of all types of packaged food must be clearly labeled on the packet. This would allow the consumers to make an informed choice as per their requirement. Provided that where a claim is made regarding the amount of cholesterol, its content in milligram (mg) must be declared and clearly printed on the package.
Sometimes, there may be a special requirement where the cholesterol content of a particular item of food needs to be determined. This is where we can help. We have a professional team of scientists who are experts in testing and analysis of the nutritional content of various types of foodstuffs. We have a comprehensive range of equipment and our testing services include national and international methods and techniques for the analysis of the cholesterol content of food. We also offer consultation on food labeling strictly abiding by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Guidelines. We have been routinely carrying out these labeling related services for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and other retail industries.
Our state-of-the-art laboratory has been identified as one of the top 5 laboratories in the country, and is accredited by NABL, FSSAI, BIS, CDSCO, ISM&H, APEDA, EIC/EIA, and AGMARK.
Please contact us today using the quick query form on the right or by calling us now on +91-11-45754575 to get your food samples tested for cholesterol.
