BNI of generic brands

Potato chips⁴ are sold under generic brands (eg, a supermarket brand) as well as under proprietary brands, with the latter having a somewhat better standing in regards to perceived quality. Therefore, it is of interest to test whether such characteristic informs about overall nutritional balance (BNI) and, thus, whether it may help choose more balanced products. This article summarises research done in this regards.

Results showed that named brands (BNI 70.49) and generic brands (BNI 69.40) were quite similar, both showing high nutritional unbalance⁵ and similar nutritional profiles (illustrations 1 to 4).

Illustration 1: Nutrition information (named brands)

BNI	70.49f	0.00

Food, 100g	2012	Ideal
Protein	6.1	25.9
Carbohydrate	50.7	71.3
Sugar	1.8	< 1.8
Fat	32.4	14.4
Saturated fat	11.1	< 5.8
Fiber	4.4*	7.8
Sodium	0.655	< 0.519
Kcal	518.8	518.8
kJul	2170.7	2170.7

(*) Fiber content estimated from USDA database³.

Illustration 2: Nutrition information (generic brands)

BNI	69.40f	0.00

Food, 100g	2012	Ideal
Protein	5.2	26.0
Carbohydrate	50.3	71.5
Sugar	1.3	< 1.3
Fat	33.1	14.4
Saturated fat	14.3	< 5.8
Fiber	4.4*	7.8
Sodium	0.589	< 0.520
Kcal	519.9	519.9
kJul	2175.3	2175.3

(*) Fiber content estimated from USDA database³.

Illustration 3: Nutritional profile (named brands)

60%			*
55%			*
50%			*
45%			*
40%		*	*
35%		*	*
30%		*	*
25%		*	*
20%		*	*
15%		*	*	*
10%		*	*	*
5%	*	*	*	*
mid	p	c	f	fb
max		s	sf		na
5%			*		*
10%			*		*
15%			*		*
20%			*		*
25%					*
30%					*
35%					*

ideal % = grey cells; actual % = asterisk (*)

Illustration 4: Nutritional profile (generic brands)

60%			*
55%			*
50%			*
45%			*
40%		*	*
35%		*	*
30%		*	*
25%		*	*
20%		*	*
15%		*	*	*
10%		*	*	*
5%	*	*	*	*
mid	p	c	f	fb
max		s	sf		na
5%			*		*
10%			*		*
15%			*		*
20%			*		*
25%			*		*
30%					*

ideal % = grey cells; actual % = asterisk (*)

Author

Jose D PEREZGONZALEZ (2012). Massey University, Turitea Campus, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. (JDPerezgonzalez).

Want to know more?

Wiki of Science - Kinds of food and nutritional balance: This Wiki of Science page collates information for different kinds of foods.
Wiki of Science - Nutritional balance of kinds of potato chips (further knowledge): Two Wiki of Science pages provide further descriptive and inferential information about the nutritional balance of potato chips.