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Buying Guide Smart TV

After new GST rule by Indian government, TV with screen size up to 32 inch will attract 18%

GST only which was earlier 28%. So, you have set your heart on a smart TV. Which one,

though? With an increasingly wide range of models to choose from, the selection

process may be easier said than done. Not all smart TVs are created equal. Perhaps

the TV you like does not have the operating system of your choice. Perhaps the

additional features you want are not available either. Clearly you will want to do your

homework before the purchase is done. In this report we will cover smart TVs

Alongside, you will also find out what to expect from your smart TV.

The major feature separating smart TVs and not-so-smart TVs is an internet connection. This

allows one to access on-demand content from apps like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4, and

stream television shows and movies from a variety of apps and services, like Netflix, Amazon

Prime and YouTube. Many smart TVs also let you go to social media sites such as Facebook

and Twitter. A growing number of smart TVs have full web browsers that let you go almost

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anywhere on the internet. Many smart TVs come with point-and-click remote controls that

can manage onscreen interactions using hand motions or by responding to your voice

commands. Most smart TVs also provide capabilities to connect with external devices such

as a USB flash drive, a mobile phone, etc.

Smart and the Not-So-Smart

Smart TV Non-Smart TV

Description A television that has access to

the internet and hence is ‘smarter’ than a normal TV

A basic television that allows one to view images and listen to sounds – that is,

watch videos

Wi-fi Needs wi-fi Does not need wi-fi

Access to internet √ X

Built-in apps √ X

Movies streaming (from Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.) √ X

Check and send emails √ X

Project phone screen on TV √ X

Watch your own pictures or videos stored on a

smartphone

√ X

This or That?

Display type: It all starts from what type of display technology you want, whether

it’s LCD, LED, OLED or UHD.

LCD: Liquid crystal displays are pretty common to find, and may be the cheaper option.

They are energy-efficient and usually have good colour and resolution.

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LED: TVs branded as LED are actually LCD TVs that use LEDs as a backlight for the liquid

crystals in the display. If a TV has ‘local dimming’, it will have an advantage when it comes

to contrast ratio, which is a plus. On top of that, LED TVs are less power-hungry than

standard LCDs and plasma.

OLED: Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TVs use coloured LED lights to create the

image, so they save on power, though not always as much as LED TVs. However, since

OLED screens are costly to make, you’ll have to pay more. They also suffer from some of the

viewing-angle problems.

UHD TVs: Ultra-high definition (UHD) TVs, also called 4K TVs, have screen resolutions of

3,840 x 2,160. That’s four times the 1,920 x 1,080 pixels found in your full HD TV. The more

densely packed array of pixels in UHD sets makes them capable of greater picture detail.

Resolution

HD-ready, full HD, or 4K? These are terms used to denote the resolution of the TV screen. The

higher the resolution, the better the image quality. HD-ready offers 1,366 x 768 pixels

resolution, full HD 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, and 4K 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. We recommend that if

you have the budget, get a 4K TV. If not, then go for a full HD screen. HD-ready TVs are

cheaper and while they are good enough for watching SD (standard definition) content, you

can notice the marked differences in sharpness and clarity compared to a full HD TV.

Size

The common TV panel sizes available today are 32, 40, 42, 46/49, 55, 65, 79, 84, 98 and 105

inches. To determine the ideal screen size for best viewing experience, measure the

distance between where the TV will be placed and your bed/couch/chair.

You could consider a bigger set for spacious family rooms, or you will be sitting very far

from the TV. Consider how many people in your family typically watch at once and where

you are going to put your new set. Then pick the largest screen size that will fit comfortably

into that space—and your budget.

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Installation/Placement

Before purchasing the TV, decide where you want it to be placed – on a table stand or

mounted on a wall. Most manufacturers today ship TV sets with a stand in the box, though

the wall-mount brackets have to be purchased separately. (The universal wall-mounting kit

costs around Rs 500.) Keep in mind that if you decide to mount the TV on a wall, you will

need to find a way to hide the dangling cables. It is recommended that you keep the TV in a

location where the other devices – set-top box, game consoles, portable storage devices,

DVD players – can easily be connected.

Do You Need a Smart TV and What Really Are the Benefits of One?

Smart TVs have been around for a while now and you can easily get one for less than Rs

50,000. Smart TV comes preloaded with an operating system (OS) that functions similar to

a smartphone OS. You can connect to the internet to view content as well as install

additional apps.

Most smart-TV models have built-in web browsers allowing you to surf the internet and

view web pages, photos and videos from the comfort of your sofa. Apps on smart TVs either

come pre-installed or are available to download from an app store. Most smart TVs offer

TV- and film-streaming on services such as Netflix and Amazon Video, catch-up TV on apps

such as BBC iPlayer, and social networking on Facebook and Twitter. Besides, smart TVs let

you wirelessly stream videos, music and pictures from your phone, tablet or laptop straight

to your TV. This is often called casting. Additional services include customizable home

screens and recommendations of things to watch based on your personal tastes. Some are

useful, others feel more like gimmicks.

Overall, keep in mind that a smart TV is expensive compared to the normal sort of TV. You

can get a 42-inch standard TV at the price of a 32-inch smart TV.

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You’ll need an internet connection to get your smart TV online. Most smart TVs are now

wi-fi-enabled, meaning you can wirelessly connect them to your internet router and

other devices like smartphones. Some older models require a brand-specific wi-fi

adaptor, which usually slots into one of the USB ports. You can also connect your TV

using an Ethernet cable, but if it's not close to your router then you’ll need a long lead or

a power line adapter.

A good broadband speed is essential if you want to stream video. For example, if you

want to stream 4K ultra HD content on Netflix, you’ll need at least 25Mbps to get the best

experience. Also, go for an unlimited broadband package so you can avoid any extra

changes for exceeding your data limit while streaming.

What Are the Security Risks?

Once a device goes online, it’s vulnerable – and your TV is no exception. At the same time,

you need to consider whether or not nefarious types would even be interested in cracking

into your TV.

Things have improved over the years. Some brands make a point of highlighting security

features in their TVs, for example. As of now, protections like a third-party anti-virus

software that you can get for your PC isn’t really available for smart TVs.

What we as consumers can do is practise constant vigilance and stay updated. Add two-

step authentication to apps that require a login, if it’s available. Also, connect to the

network via ethernet if you can. It is much harder for hackers to break into a hardwired

connection compared to wi-fi.

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Smartening up

If you don’t want to splurge on a smart TV, there are more affordable ways to get internet

services on your current television. These include streaming boxes, which are a wide

range of plug-in devices that allow you to transform your standard TV into a smart TV at

a fraction of the cost. Well-known streaming devices include the Amazon FireTV stick,

Google Chromecast, Apple TV and Roku, and all can access video-on-demand, catch-up

TV and other internet apps when connected to your television and home wi-fi network.

The most important thing to check is which streaming services come with your box. If

your favourites are not there, maybe think twice.

Some manufacturers have developed their own smart-TV platforms, while others may use a

licensed system, such as Android TV from Google. A TV with built-in smarts can make

accessing content easy—there’s only a single remote control—but a separate streaming media

player may have more content options, or use an interface that makes finding and accessing

content easier.

If you connect your PC to your TV, you can use it as a large computer monitor. For this,

you’ll need an analogue VGA input. Some TVs can be connected via a digital input, either

a DVI socket, or more commonly via an HDMI input configured for PC screen resolutions

(check your TV manual for instructions on this). If your PC only has a DVI output, HDMI

to DVI cables are available to buy in shops and online.

How many GB of data is needed to watch a movie?

Watching movies or TV shows on Netflix uses about 1 GB of data per hour for each stream of standard-definition video, and up to 3 GB per hour for each stream of HD video. Thus, watching a movie will consume about 7 to 8 GB of data.

Streaming services and costs

Netflix is the major streaming option for home television audiences. It is the world’s top video-streaming service that allows users to watch content on screens ranging from smartphones to smart televisions. Netflix subscription plans in India start at Rs 500, Rs 650 and Rs 800 per month. The first-month subscription is free. Hotstar's premium offering costs Rs 199 per month

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or 999/Year, while Amazon Prime offers unlimited content for just Rs 129 per month or Rs 999 per year.

Comparison at a Glance: Of Smart Televisions (32-49 inches size)

Sl No.

Brand

Model Size

(inches)

HDR/ Ful

l HD/UHD

Displa

y Resolution (pixels)

No. of USB Ports

No. of HDMI ports

Annual

Energy

Consumption# (units/yea

r)

BEE Star Rating

Price

(Rs)

Warranttee,Month

s

1 MI

L32M5-AI 32 HDR

1366 x 768

2 3 66.6 3 12,499

12

2 MI L32M5-AN (4C PRO) 32 HDR

1366 x 768

2 3

58.0 4

13, 999

12

3 LG 32LK616BPTB 32 HDR

1366x768

1 2 73 2 23,990

12

4 Micromax

Binge Box

32 HDR

1366x768

2 2 63.25 4 16, 890

12

5 Sony

32W622F 32 HDR

1366x768

2 2 68 3 27, 490

12

6 Samsung

32N4300 32 HDR

1366x768

1 2 66.10 3 25, 600

12

8 LG 32LJ573D

32 HDR

1366 x 768

2 2 76 2 21,990

12

8

9 Sony

KLV-32W672E 32 Full HD

1920 x 1080

2 2

84 1

33, 990

12

10

Sony

KLV-32W672F

32 Full HD

1920 x 1080

2 2

76 1 30,990

12

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Panasonic

TH-32FS601D

32 HDR

1366x768

2 2

74 1 19,490

12

12

TCL 32S62S 32

HDR

1366x768

2 3

12,890

18

13

Kodak

Kodak 32HDXSMART

32

HDR

1366x768

2 3

10,999

12

14

Shinco

SO32AS 32

HDR

1366x768

2 3 56.565

4 10,250

12

15

SC

EP

TR

E

B32SMFHD

32

Full HD

1920 x 1080

2 2

15,999

24

16

Sa

msu

ng

UA32N4300AR

32

HDR

1366x768

2 2

25,600

12

17

Hyu

ndai HY32HH36-N

32

HDR

1366x768

2 3

19,490

12

18

Son

y KLV-32W622F

32 HDR

1366x768

2 2

68 2 27,490

12

20

21

Samsung

UA32N4010ARXXL/UA32N4010ARLXL

32 HD Ready,

1366 x 768

1 2

14999

12

22

Thomson

32M3277 PRO

32 HD Ready,

1366 x 768

2 3

11999

12

9

23

Sony

KDL-43W800F 43 Full HD

1920x1080

3 4 108 3

52,990

12

24

LG 43LK5760PTA 43 Full HD

1920x1080

1 2 108

4

38, 750

12

25

Panasonic

TH-W43ES48DX 43

Full HD

1920x1080

2 3 122 3

51,990

12

26

Sanyo

XT-43S8100FS 43

Full HD

1920x1080

2 3 84 5

28,999

12

27

Micromax

S2 101CM

40

Full HD

1920 x 1080

1 2

24, 990

12

28

MI L43M5-AN

4A PRO 43 FU

LL HD

1920 x 1080

3 3

22999

12

29

Samsung

UA43N5300ARLXL/UA43N5300ARXXL

43 FULL HD

1920 x 1080

1 2

37999

12

30

Sony

Bravia KD-43X7002F 43

UHD

3840 x 2160

3 3 135

2 60,000

12

31

Onida

Live Genius 43UIB1 43

UHD

3840x2160

2 3

31,990

12

32

Philips

43PUT7791 43

UHD

3840x2160

1 3

58,500

12

33

Samsung

43KU6470 43

UHD

3840 x 2160

2 3

46, 999

12

34

Lloyd

L40UJR 40 UHD

3840 x

3 4

39,

12

10

2160

999

35

TCL

L43P2US 43

UHD

3840 x 2160

2 2

32, 276

12

36

MI L49M5-AN 49 FULL HD

1920x1080

2 3 180 2

30000

12

37

MI 4A PRO 49 Full HD

1920x1080

2 3

30999

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Note: Price may vary, before buying please check detailed specification and price on

amazon.in or flitcart.com or company website.

#Annual energy consumption is estimated based on a daily usage of 6 hours in ‘on’ mode and

12 hours in ‘standby’ mode.

Price Disruption in the Market

After new GST rule by the Indian government, TV with screen size up to 32 inches will attract 18% GST only which was earlier 28%. Therefore in simple term, the TV which was earlier available for Rs.12000-13000 is now available about Rs.10000. So this is a good step by Government which lets 32" size TV more accessible to consumers. So avail the benefit of GST reduction (GST Price drop

on TV) on 32inch TV 32-inch screen size has a mass market and a wide consumer base. You can shop TV at lowest prices from commercial websites like Amazon & Flipkart. Not only may this also get exciting exchange offer and No cost EMI on major bank credit cards.

Star Rating (energy consumption)

Your TV contributes to your energy bill, so choosing an efficient one will save you money.

The energy star ratings help you compare relative energy efficiency. Choose the TV with

more stars when choosing between two similar-sized models because it will cost you less

to run. In India, it is now mandatory to fix star rating label on TVs. Star rating denotes how

energy-efficient your appliance is. Because of the energy labelling scheme of BEE, the

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quality of TV affixed with the energy label is assured to a large extent. So while going for a

TV, make sure it carries the energy Label.

Warranty and Service Network

Most of us tend to stick to known, market-leading, brands. But these may not be the best

choice always. There are various factors to consider, other than the brand name. Does

the brand have a network of service centres in your area? Is the installation included in

the price, and what kind of warranty does it come with?

Things to Be Wary of

Assembled TVs

These days you can find dealers in the retail market stocking assembled TVs without any

brand name but are replicate copies of branded TVs in terms of packaging, labels,

features, physical look and smart features. Most assembled TVs are made to look like

popular brands. Be careful about being persuaded by the cost, which may be as much as

50 per cent cheaper as compared to popular branded TVs, as these come with no/limited

warranty and have limited life too. Moreover, authorized dealers of the brand will refuse

to repair these counterfeit items. You will be dependent on local service mechanics.

TV life

With the introduction of LED/LCD TVs, it has been found from consumers that TVs go

unserviceable, especially the display panel, in a much shorter period as compared to the

earlier CRT-based TVs. The replacement of a new and genuine display panel costs

between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 rupees depending upon panel size. Some of the brands

are coming with one-year warrantee additional warranty on the panel. If possible, avoid

going for expensive TV models as these may not last as long as CRT TVs. On the other

hand, take an extended warranty or go for AMC if you are going ahead with an expensive

TV.

Ways to Use Your Television Efficiently

• Turn the TV off when no one is watching it.

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• Buy a model with a higher star rating (5 stars).

• LED and LCD TVs are generally more energy-efficient than plasmas.

• Know that larger screens consume more electricity than smaller screens.

• Know that the brighter the screen, the more energy the TV uses.

• Do not leave the TV in standby mode for a long time.

• Position your TV so that it isn’t in direct sunlight – this way, you won’t need to

have the brightness turned all the way up.

• Do not clean the screen panel with a wet cloth or when it is ‘on’.

Ati

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PRODUCT SURVEY

Frost-Free Refrigerators

Keeping it cool

The refrigerator (or fridge) has come a long way from being a luxury item to a

necessary appliance today. (If you have lost electricity for any period of time, you will

be even more appreciative of the crucial role the refrigerator plays in everyday life.)

For one, it preserves the nutrients in our food. It also keeps our food safe for

consumption by keeping bacterial growth at bay for a longer period. Of course, it also

keeps our favourite beverages cool and ready to be had. These are all things we can

agree on. But when it comes to buying a refrigerator, we all will have a different take

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on which brand/model/capacity is optimal. Apart from personal tastes, that choice

will largely depend on the storage capacity we need, our eating habits, space in the

house and most importantly our budget. The very large number of models in the

market may make the whole process more complicated than expected. Just the brand

name may not be sufficient to base a buying decision on. Here, we bring to you some

consolidated basic research on frost-free refrigerators, focusing on aspects such as

gross volume, storage volume, electricity consumption and star rating – factors on the

basis of which you can make a choice among the many brands/models.

The first decision is necessarily choosing between a direct-cool refrigerator and a

frost-free one. The former is typically much less expensive than the latter. A direct cool

model produces the necessary chill through natural convection. Frost-free refrigerators, as

the name implies, do not require any kind of manual defrosting. Also, the life expectancy of

the current models of the frost-free refrigerator is greater than that of the current direct-

cool models in the market.

There are also the inverter-type refrigerators that allow for varied speed and runs in

longer cycles at low speed. These util ise electricity energy more effic iently . If

the upfront cost for buying is not a concern for you, then do look at refrigerators with

inverter technology. The extra money you pay upfront will be recovered in the form of

electricity savings.

A convertible refrigerator gives you the extra space when the refrigerator runs out of storage

space. Its freezer transforms into a fridge and back into a freezer as per your need.

When planning to buy a refrigerator, don’t rely on advertisements, thinking the most advertised brand is the best. You might miss some opportunities by not checking other brands. List out your needs and features important to you;

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What other things you should know before you buy a refrigerator? The following points are handy:

What size and which type, brand and model? What does the star rating actually mean? Does the refrigerator keep your food at a fixed

temperature? Why so many different compartments?

What do I need to know about new features?

Size/Capacity: It depends on need, costing and space. A family of four can easily do with a 250–300 litres refrigerator. As a rule, keep an at least 5 cm clearance from wall/sides.

Family Size Ideal Capacity

Bachelors or couple Less than 200 litres

Small family 200 to 300 litres

Family of four 250 to 350 litres

Larger family 300 litres or more

Top- or bottom-mounted freezer: If price, range, efficiency and value are your biggest concerns, then a top-mounted fridge is for you. The disadvantage is you have to bend down to access the food compartment, which is the most used. Bottom-mounted fridges are all about convenience—and save you from back pain. Plenty of space and extra features make side-by-side fridges great for large families.

Star rating (energy consumption): Your fridge contributes to your energy bill, so

choosing an efficient one will save you money. While larger fridges will use more energy overall than smaller ones, the energy star ratings help you compare relative energy efficiency. Choose the fridge with more stars when choosing between two similar-sized models because it will cost you less to run. In India, it is now mandatory to fix star rating label on refrigerators. Star rating denotes how energy-efficient your appliance is.

considering your budget, choose the one best suited to you.

Colour and Finish

Stainless-steel fridges bring that sleek, professional look to your kitchen but can be prone to showing fingerprints and other marks. White fridges are easier to keep clean than their stainless-steel counterparts. Fridges in bright colours are increasingly popular. A black fridge is a modern alternative to a plain white appliance but without the fingerprint-showing tendencies of stainless steel, but they can be a little imposing and may make your kitchen itself seem darker.

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Compressor: It is the basic mechanism (heart), besides the freezer and condenser, by which the refrigerator works. A normal compressor runs at a constant speed throughout. On the other hand, an inverter compressor can run at varying speeds. It starts at a low speed and boosts up when there is a loss in cooling. This is in contrast with normal compressors that take off at a high speed, consuming more electricity and producing a lot of noise.

Cooling capabilities: It refers to the amount of time a refrigerator takes to decrease the temperature to lower (minus) side. Faster cooling/freezing is desirable.

Noise: Whether refrigerator noise is an issue or not depends on your kitchen layout and its proximity to living and sleeping areas. Refrigerators can make a variety of strange noises due to compressor startup, automatic defrosting, electrical fans, and even from materials expanding and contracting as they change temperature. This is normal, but may be more noticeable in models that are quieter during normal running. Refrigerators typically operate at around 35 decibels during normal running.

Guarantee/warranty: It is important to inquire about the guarantee/warranty. Most refrigerators come with a one-year warranty. The compressor warranty may vary from 5 years to 10 years. The details are given in the warranty card.

Keeping Food Cold and Safe?

Keeping food cold and safe for long periods is the whole point of a fridge, but not all fridges are equal in this regard. Above 40 degrees F of food compartment is considered an unsafe zone, which means that food is susceptible to spoiling or growing harmful bacteria – therefore set the thermostat accordingly.

How to set up your fridge’s temperature control settings:

Check if your fridge is set to the recommended settings from the manual.

Use a thermometer to measure internal temperature (summer and winter).

Adjust your settings until you have 3 degrees C (fridge) and -18 C (freezer).

Maintain good airflow inside the fridge to avoid hot and cold spots.

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Comparison at a Glance: Of Frost-Free Refrigerators, 240–300 litres capacity

For our survey, we shortlisted 20 regular-selling brands of double-door, frost-free

refrigerators of 240–300 litres capacity. We conducted the survey during the 1st week of

April 2019.

Comparison at a Glance: Frost Free Double Door Refrigerators (240-300

Litres)

Sl No.

Brand Model Gross volume (Liters)

Storage volume (Liters)

Electricity consumption (unit per year

Convertible-type

BEE Star

Rating

Price (Rs)

Warranty, years

1 Godrej

RT EON VALOR 241 P 3.4

241 220 219 NO 3 21, 470 1+10

2 HAIER HRF-2674P 247 221 250.00 NO 3 28, 000 1+10 3 HAIER HRF-2984 278 255 185.00 Yes 4 24,830 1+10 4 HAIER HRF-2904B 270 243 254.00 NO 3 26, 700 1+10 5 LG GL-I292STNL 260 237 194 NO 4 39,989 6 SAMSU

NG RT34M5538BS /HL

324 300 260 Yes 3 29, 990 1+10

7 SAMSUNG

RT37M5538S8 /HL

345 321 265 Yes 3 33, 490 1+10

8 HAIER HEF-25T 258 235 236 Yes 3 19, 490 1+10 9 LG GL-C302RPZU 284 259 253 NO 3 25, 914 1+10 10 Godrej RT EON

VALOR 290 P 3.4

290 267 241 NO 3 24, 390

11 HAIER HEF-25T 258 235 236 Yes 3 19, 490 1+10 12 Whirlpo

ol FF 2D 258 3S 245 222 306 NO 2 18, 240

13 LG GL-T302RDSY 284 256 248 NO 3 28, 010 14 SAMSU

NG RT28K3022SE/ NL

253 234 303 NO 2 22, 950 1+10

15 SAMSUNG

RT30M3043UT /HL

275 255 248 NO 3 23, 750 1+10

16 LG GL-T292RPZN 260 234 198 Yes 4 32, 790 1+10 17 Panason

ic

NR-BG271VSS3

270 241 229 No 3 25,790 1+10

18 Panasonic

NR-BC27 268 252 238 No 3 34,560 1+10

19 Voltas RFF272I 250 221 275 No 2 25, 890 2+12 20 Voltas RFF293B 270 241 258 No 3 27,182 2+12

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Note: Price may vary, please check for latest prices on amazon.in or flitkart.com

Convertible Refrigerator gives you the extra space when the refrigerator runs out of storage space. It's new Convertible Freezer transforms into a Fridge and back into Freezer as per your need. So that you can store all the food you want. Big brands like Samsung and LG offer convertibility options. Convertible Refrigerator gives you the extra space when the refrigerator runs out of storage space. It's new Convertible Freezer transforms into a Fridge and back into Freezer as per your need. So that you can store all the food you want.

These Are Important too

Door: Make sure you can open the fridge doors easily and comfortably.

Temperature controls: Look for two separate temperature controls. A single

control sets both the freezer and the fresh food compartment, so you can’t adjust

one without affecting the other. Some electronic fridges have better independent

controls.

Shelves: Shelves ought to be easy to remove and replace for cleaning or adjustment.

Does the range of shelf positions suit your needs?

Rollers and adjustable feet: Rollers are useful for easy moving (such as when

cleaning behind the fridge).Four rollers are better than two, provided they have

brakes or adjustable feet to secure the fridge and stop it from escaping.

Dairy compartment: A slightly warmer area of the fridge, it is convenient for

keeping butter and hard cheeses slightly soft.

Chiller (meat compartment): This compartment stores meat, fish and poultry

(fresh or cooked) at a safe temperature, keeping it fresher for longer. Chiller

temperature should be close to zero and ideally it should have a separate

temperature control.

Child-proofing: Keep kids safe and choose a child-friendly fridge.

Door alarms: This feature is very useful because if the door does not shut all the way, then the door will either beep or chime. This helps prevent food and energy waste.

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Tips for Using the Refrigerator Avoid opening the fridge frequently – you will save power. Clean off the condenser coils at least once a year. Protect your fridge from high heat sources. Reduce your frost accumulation if it’s a direct-cool refrigerator. Let your food cool before putting it in. Cover everything (food) stored. Check the door seal for air leakage. Clean the drain hole and drip pan. Adjust level for easier closing of the door. Wipe all surface areas with a combination of dishwashing soap and warm water. Use a microfibre cloth or a good-quality sponge. For stubborn stains, mix a small amount of baking soda with a little water to produce a thick paste. Apply the paste to the stain and leave for an hour before wiping with a damp sponge or cloth. Disinfectants should never be used inside refrigerators.

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COMPARATIVE TEST

Five Brands of 20-Litre Packaged Drinking Water

Bisleri, Kinley and Pure Drop not safe enough

Whether in one-litre bottles or 20-litre bubble-topped cans, packaged drinking

water has become a common sight—and a much-in-demand product. Without getting

into the debate and irony of water as a commercial product, we at Consumer Voice

decided that it was high time consumers knew about the safety and acceptability

parameters relevant to this ‘precious commodity’ (an oxymoron, if you will).

Following up on our report on one-litre packaged drinking water (covering 12

brands, published in the May issue), we present here our findings on five brands of

the 20-litre variant. The questions and parameters remain the same, hinging on

whether the water we procure at a price is drinkable enough. It certainly is not as

simple as checking if the water looks clean and clear. Harmful, microscopic

organisms are not visible to the naked eye. If they were, we would not be consuming

the brands that we did, despite their not fulfilling basic safety conditions (as our

tests show). The following report will turn out to be an eye-opener in more ways

than one because it will throw up names that are not recommended for

consumption—mind you, some of these have been household names for a while now.

Read on to find out if your packaged water brand is one of them.

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A Consumer Voice Report

Like the one-litre variants, 20-litre packaged drinking water is also covered under

mandatory ISI marking scheme. For the tests, carried

out at a NABL-accredited laboratory, we referred to IS:

14543: 2004 with the latest amendments. Test

parameters were mainly based on Indian Standard in

order to judge the overall quality of the drinking water

being sold, as also on the requirements of FSS

Regulations, 2011, which cover the product

requirements.

For the tests, we chose four regular/top-selling brands

and one local brand (Delhi-based) of 20-litre packaged

drinking water. These were evaluated on quality,

acceptability and sensory parameters. The key parameters included the presence of

undesirable substances and microbiological organisms, pesticide residues, toxic/heavy

metals, total dissolved solids (TDS), pH level, radioactivity, turbidity and colour.

The dual problem of not having access to water or having access to unsafe water has

resulted in a situation where safe and hygienic water, a basic amenity, is becoming a

luxury. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has forecast that by 2030 India will have a

water deficit of 50 per cent. The union ministry of water resources has estimated the

country’s current water requirements to be around 1,100 billion cubic metres per year,

which is forecasted to be around 1,200 billion cubic metres for the year 2025 and 1,447

billion cubic metres for the year 2050.

As per Gazette Notification dated 15 November

2015, issued by the ministry of health and

family welfare, FSS Amended Regulation 2016

(as per the revised version of IS 14543: 2016)

has come into force from 1 March 2017. For the

latest Consumer Voice report on packaged

drinking water, since the samples of water

were drawn from the market before 1 March

2017, the test programme was carried out on

the basis of IS: 14543: 2004.

22

BRANDS TESTED

Rank Total Score out of 100

(Rounded off)

Brand MRP (Rs)

Net quantit

y (Litres)

Best before

(Months)

Manufactured/Marketed by

1 98 Delhi Jal Board (DJB)

52 20 90 days Delhi Jal Board, New Delhi

2 92 Aquafina 90 20 2 months Beltek Canadian Water Ltd, Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Downgraded to poor as they do not comply with microbiological requirements

Bisleri 70 20 1 month Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi Kinley 95 20 3 months Moon Beverages Ltd, Greater Noida, Uttar

Pradesh Pure Drop 40 20 30 days Perfect Beverages Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi

Score Rating: >90: very good*****,71-90- Good ****, 51-70- Fair***, 31-50- Average**, upto 30 –Poor *

CV Recommendation | Top Performer | Value for Money

Delhi Jal Board

23

Brands to Avoid

Bisleri | Kinley | Pure Drop

These brands did not meet safe microbiological parameters and are therefore considered unsafe for drinking.

Key Findings

Based on the overall test findings, Delhi Jal Board is the top performer. Next in ranking is Aquafina.

Delhi Jal Board is also the value-for-money brand.

Bisleri, Kinley and Pure Drop did not meet the microbiological requirements specified by Indian Standard and are

therefore not recommended for consumption. Total viable colony count (of bacteria) was found to be high in all three

brands.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in Pure Drop. This brand was also found to contain yeast and mould.

None of the brands was found surpassing the maximum permissible limit for various minerals, toxic substances and

residual pesticides.

In physical tests (colour, TDS, turbidity, pH), all brands met the requirement set by Indian Standard.

24

TEST RESULTS

FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

Microbiological contamination of water has long been a matter of concern to the public.

Many infectious microorganisms found in the environment – such as shigella, E. coli, vibrio,

salmonella, coliform, S. aureus, faecal streptococci, yeast and mould, V. cholerae, V.

parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa – can contaminate the water supplied to us.

These microorganisms can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and

stomach cramps. In healthy adults, these illnesses are usually mild and do not last long. In

infants, children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, these illnesses

can be more severe.

We conducted tests for microbiological contamination as per the requirements set out by

Indian Standard, are reproduced here.

Bisleri, Kinley and Pure Drop failed to meet the microbiological requirements – hence

they are not safe for consumption. Total viable colony count was found to be high in all

three brands.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in Pure Drop. This brand was also found to

contain yeast and mould.

25

FOR PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

Undesirable Substances | Toxic/Heavy Metals | Pesticide Residues | TDS | pH | Turbidity | Colour

Undesirable Substances

Apart from the toxic metals and substances, there are a few undesirable substances that

can make drinking water unhealthy/unhygienic or hamper its taste. All these undesirable

substances were tested as per the requirements of IS, and a handful of brands contained

some of these in negligible quantities.

All brands were found to be within the limits set by Indian Standard for these

substances: aluminium, anionic surface-active agents, antimony, barium, borates,

copper, iron, manganese, mineral oil, nitrite, phenolic compounds, residual chlorine,

selenium and sulphide.

Nitrate (as NO3): Nitrate in drinking

water can be a maximum of 45

mg/litre. All five brands contained some

amount of nitrate, but it was well within

the maximum permissible limit.

Fluoride (as F): As per the national

standard, the maximum amount of

fluoride permissible in packaged

drinking water is 1 mg/litre. All brands

were found to be within the permissible

limit.

Silver (as Ag): Levels of silver up to 0.1 mg/litre can be tolerated without risk to

health. Silver was not detected in any of the tested brands.

Nitrate is a colourless, odourless and tasteless

compound that is present in some groundwater. High

nitrate levels in water can cause methemoglobinemia or

blue baby syndrome, a condition found especially in

infants less than six months old. The stomach acid of an

infant is not as strong as in older children and adults.

This causes an increase in bacteria that can readily

convert nitrate into nitrite (NO2).

Children aged eight years and younger exposed to

excessive amounts of fluoride have an increased chance

of developing pits in the tooth enamel, along with a

range of cosmetic effects on teeth.

26

Chloride (as Cl): The maximum

permissible limit for chloride is 200

mg/litre. Chloride was well below

the maximum permissible limit in all

tested brands.

Sulphate (as SO4): The permissible limit

for sulphate is 200 mg/litre. It was not

detected in Aquafina, while in the others it

was well below the maximum permissible

limit.

Alkalinity (as HCO3): Alkalinity is not considered to be detrimental to humans, but

is generally associated with hardness, high pH values and excessive dissolved solids,

all of which may be undesirable. HCO3 should not exceed 200 mg per litre. All the

brands were found well below the permissible limit for alkalinity

Calcium (as Ca) and Magnesium (as Mg): Calcium in water and certain other

minerals in water are healthy. Calcium-rich water has a higher pH and that is better

than drinking acidic water. However, calcium and magnesium are components of

permanent hardness, and thus are undesirable in drinking water. The amount of

calcium should not exceed 75 mg per litre, while magnesium should not be more

than 30 mg per litre. In the tests, all brands were found to contain very slight

amounts of calcium and magnesium

Sodium (as Na): Sodium is an essential mineral in our diet. It is commonly found in

the form of sodium chloride (salt). Salt has no smell and it dissolves easily in water

and gives water a salty taste at high levels. The amount of sodium should not exceed

Chloride in drinking water is generally not harmful to people

until high concentrations are reached, although chloride may

be injurious to some people suffering from diseases of the

heart or kidneys. Restrictions on chloride concentrations in

drinking water are generally based on taste requirements

rather than on health. Liquid chlorine is mixed into drinking

water to destroy bacteria.

Sulphate is a naturally occurring substance that

contains sulphur and oxygen. Sulphate is generally

considered to be non-toxic. However, the consumption

of drinking water containing high amounts of sulphate

may result in intestinal discomfort, diarrhoea and

consequently dehydration.

27

200 mg per litre. All the brands were found well within the maximum permissible

limit for sodium.

Toxic/Heavy Metals

As per the national standard, the toxic substances that should not be present in drinking

water are mercury, cadmium, arsenic, cyanide, lead, chromium and nickel.

All the brands were tested for the presence of toxic substances and heavy metals. These

were detected in a marginal amount in DJB water but were well below the permissible

limit. The rest of the brands were clear.

Pesticide Residues Pesticide is a chemical or biological agent (such as a virus, bacterium, antimicrobial, or

disinfectant) that deters, incapacitates, kills, or otherwise discourages pests. Pesticides may

cause acute and delayed health effects in people who are exposed. Such adverse health

effects range from simple irritation of the skin and eyes to more severe effects like affecting

the nervous system, mimicking hormones causing reproductive problems and causing

cancer.

As per Indian Standard, the maximum permissible limit is 0.0001 mg/litre for individual

pesticide and 0.0005 mg/litre for total pesticide residues.

All tested brands were within the requirement set by the national standard. Traces of

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid were found in Aquafina but these were well below the

specified limit.

Radioactivity

Radioactive minerals occur irregularly in the bedrock, similar to other minerals such as

iron and arsenic. Radioactive alpha and beta emitters dissolve easily in water. The

principal health concerns associated with regulated radionuclides in water include:

radon gas increases the risk of lung cancer; uranium increases toxicity risk to the

kidneys, and radium increases one's risk of bone cancer.

No radioactive emitters were found in any of the tested brands.

28

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

Total dissolved solids are the amount of

minerals, salts or metals dissolved in a given

volume of water. TDS is directly related to

the purity of potable water and the quality of

water purification systems, and affects

everything that consumes, lives in, or uses

water, whether organic or inorganic. The

standard/regular practice of packaged drinking water in the industry is to take the potable

water from a regular source and demineralise the water through the RO system and in the

required quantity to balance the TDS level as permitted in the national standard.

As per Indian Standard, total dissolved solids in packaged drinking water shall be a

maximum 500 mg/litre.

TDS in all brands was lower than the maximum permissible limit.

Highest TDS observed in Bisleri (98 mg/litre) followed by Delhi Jal Board (95

mg/litre). TDS was lowest in Kinley (27 mg/litre).

pH

The pH level of your drinking water reflects how acidic it is. pH stands for ‘potential

hydrogen’, referring to the amount of hydrogen mixed with the water. pH is measured on a

scale that runs from 0 to 14. A measurement of seven is neutral, indicating there is no acid

or alkalinity. A measurement below 7 indicates the presence of acid and a measurement

above 7 indicates alkalinity. The normal range for pH in packaged drinking water as per

Indian Standard is between 6.5 and 8.5.

All the brands of packaged drinking water were within the specified range for pH.

Water is a good solvent and picks up impurities easily. As per WHO guidelines for drinking water quality, water with extremely low concentrations of TDS may be unacceptable to consumers because of its flat, insipid taste. At the same time, drinking water becomes significantly and increasingly unpalatable at TDS levels greater than about 1,000 mg/litre.

29

Turbidity

Turbidity is a principal physical characteristic of water. It is caused by suspended matter or

impurities that interfere with the clarity of the water. These impurities may include clay,

silt, finely divided inorganic and organic matter, and soluble coloured organic compounds.

Turbidity in water shall not be more than 2 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU).

Turbidity was less than the maximum permissible limit in any of the brands.

Colour (in hazen unit) was not detected in any of the brands.

30

PHYSICOCHEMICAL SCORES

Parameters

Weightage (%)

Delhi Jal Board

Aquafina Bisleri Kinley Pure Drop

Undesirable substances 20 19.07 19.8 18.86 19.75 19.21 Toxic/Heavy metals 12 12 12 12 12 12 Pesticide residues 10 10 9.0 10 10 10 TDS 10 9.70 5.92 9.88 5.62 8.56 pH 7 7.0 4.48 4.48 5.32 4.20 Turbidity 3 2.4 3 3 3 3 Colour 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sub total 63 61.17 55.2 59.22 56.69 57.97

31

FOR SENSORY ATTRIBUTES

The sensory test was conducted in a reputed lab by qualified and experienced members.

Bisleri, Kinley and Pure Drop were not included in the sensory test for taste as they had

failed the microbiological test and could be unsafe to drink.

The remaining two brands scored equally well on odour and taste parameters.

FOR GENERAL QUALITIES

Marking/Labelling

The bottle of packaged drinking water should be legibly marked with these details: a) name

of the product; b) name and address of processor; c) brand name, if any; d) batch or code

number; e) date of processing/packaging; f) treatment of disinfection, if any; g) ‘best

before’ date; and h) mandatory ISI mark, MRP, net quantity and customer care details. The

green dot (indicating vegetarian status) is not a mandatory requirement for packaged

drinking water.

All brands except Pure Drop were found to meet the marking/labelling requirements

and hence were given full scores. Date of packaging was not marked in Pure Drop.

All brands carried the ISI mark, which is a mandatory requirement.

Packing

The packaging material should be of food-grade and the cap of the bottle must not have any

colour migration on the product.

All the brands were packaged in reusable, sealed 20-litre colourless jars.

Manufacturers’ Comments

As a matter of policy, before publication, the test results of the brands are shared with their

respective manufacturers/marketers inviting their views/comments. We reproduce here

the comments of manufacturers as well as our reply:

32

Brand Manufacturer’s Comment Consumer Voice Kinley Coca-Cola India has an uncompromising

commitment to product safety and quality. The Coca-Cola Company and its authorised bottlers exercise strict quality and safety measures specifically designed to prevent any product-quality deviations. All our products and brands are built on consumer trust and Kinley remains the nation’s favourite packaged water. It is safe and hygienic.

With respect to the said batch of product, we have tested it through an external accredited source as well as our laboratories, which test the products as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The parameters of the samples are well within the prescribed limit and standards. External lab-water analysis reports are publically available and are uploaded on the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) website, under ‘Project Clean Drinking Water’. We would request VOICE Society to re-verify the result of the earlier tests.

The tests were conducted in a reputed NABL-accredited laboratory. It has confirmed that the reported test results are in order as per the specified protocol.

Bisleri Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has sent a letter attaching their in-house test report of the 20-litre jars control sample. The same has passed all the test parameters

Our lab has confirmed that

reported results are in order

as per the specified protocol.

33

COMPARATIVE TEST

Curd (Dahi)

Health food, yes, but is it adulteration-free?

Any number of health benefits are attributed to good old curd. Heart health, bone health,

teeth health, immunity boost, you name it. Moreover, the nutrients present in curd are

easily absorbed by your digestive system. Not only that, but it also helps in absorbing

nutrients from other food items that you have eaten. Eat it with spicy food, bland food,

neutral food, the curd will complement most of them. Then there are the good bacteria that

curd brings to your system. Curd can be one of the best sources of good bacteria. The

following report covers 2 brands of probiotic curd and 10 of plain curd. With any number

of brands out there laying claims to health and taste, it may be useful to know the

parameters with which to assess their quality, safety and acceptability. A couple of findings

from our test results will reveal to us that the important determinants of quality vary

across brands.

A Consumer Voice Report

34

The plain curd brands were prepared from toned milk, while the probiotic brands were prepared

from double-toned milk. As per our standard procedure,

we undertook market research to identify the regular-

selling brands of curd across the country. We tested the

12 samples on various quality, safety and acceptability

parameters.

The key parameters included milk fat, solids not fat (SNF), milk protein, calcium, phosphorus,

carbohydrates, cholesterol and saturated fats. We also carried out a series of tests to check for the

presence of heavy metals and microbiological contamination. The testing was conducted at a

NABL-accredited laboratory.

The samples were tested as per the

specification laid out by FSS Regulations,

2011 and Indian standard IS: 9617.

35

BRANDS TESTED

Rank Total Score out of

100 (rounded off)

Brand MRP

(Rs)

Net

weight

(gm)

Cost per

100 gm,

Rs

Best

before

(months)

Manufactured/Marketed by

Probiotic Curd 1 89 Nestle a+ Actiplus

Probiotic 70 400 17.50 15 days Nestle India Ltd

2 87 Mother Dairy

Advanced Probiotic 50 400 12.50 15 days Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt.

Ltd Plain Curd

1 86 Namaste India 28 400 7.00 Use by date#

NIF Pvt. Ltd

2 85 Gowardhan 25 200 12.50 15 days Parag Milk Foods Ltd 3 84 Mother Dairy

Classic 20 200 10.00 10 days Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt.

Ltd 3 84 Madhusudhan 20 180 10.00 Use by

date# Cremy Foods Ltd

4 83 Nestle a+ Nourish 25 150 16.66 15 days Nestle India Ltd 4 83 Ananda Gopaljee 25 200 12.50 15 days Gopaljee Dairy Foods Pvt. Ltd 4 83 Vita 18 200 9.00 Use by

date# The Ballabgarh Co-Op. Milk Producers Union Ltd

4 83 Amul Masti 22 200 11.00 15 days Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd

5 81 Britannia Daily Fresh

55 400 13.75 15 days Britannia Industries Ltd

5 81 Paras 45 400 11.25 10 days VRS Foods Ltd Score Rating: >90: excellent*****, 71–90: very good****, 51–70: good***, 31–50: average**, up to 30: poor*

#‘Use by’ date is mentioned in foods where shelf life is not more than seven days and declaration of manufacturing date may not be required.

36

[pics: Nestle a+ Actiplus, Namaste India]

CV Recommendations | Top Performers

Probiotic Curd

Nestle a+ Actiplus

Plain Curd

Namaste India

Value for Money

Namaste India

Key Findings

Based on the overall test findings, the top performers are Nestle a+ Actiplus in

probiotic curd category and Namaste India among plain curd brands.

The value-for-money brand is Namaste India.

In plain curd category, Namaste India at Rs 28 for 400 gm was cheapest. Mother Dairy

Advanced Probiotic was cheaper than Nestle Actiplus Probiotic, which was costliest

among all 12 brands tested.

Calcium and phosphorus were found highest in Namaste India.

Milk fat was found highest in Namaste India (3.61 per cent) as compared to other

brands (3.0 per cent–3.1 per cent)among plain dahi brand and in probiotic category

Nestle a+ Actiplus (2.1) was higher in milk fat than Mother Dairy Advanced, giving

more value for money to consumers.

Amount of solids not fat (SNF) was highest in Nestle a+ Actiplus (11.9 per cent) in

probiotic curd category and in Gowardhan (10.7 per cent) among plain curd brands.

Milk protein content was found highest in Mother Dairy Advanced in the probiotic

category and Namaste India had the highest milk protein content in plain dahi category.

37

Saturated fat was highest in Namaste India(2.6%) and lowest in mother dairy advanced

(1.2%).

Cholesterol was highest in Paras, Vita and Britannia, in that order. It was lowest in

probiotic brands Nestle and Mother Dairy.

All brands cleared the tests for microbiological safety.

Arsenic and lead were not detected in any of the brands.

In sensory panel tests , Brand -Mother Dairy Advanced Probiotic performed on top

followed by Nestle a+ Actiplus Probiotic.

What is curd?

Curd, or dahi, is produced by bacterial fermentation of boiled milk. The bacteria used to make dahi are known as ‘dahi cultures’. The quality of dahi depends on the culture used as well as the initial quality of milk and other ingredients added.

In other words, the curd is milk that has been acted upon by a particular kind of healthy bacteria. It improves the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut.

What is yoghurt?

Yoghurt is similar to curd but is made using a different strain of bacteria called Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Other strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may also be added in addition to these in the yoghurt.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are ‘live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.’ Lactic acid bacteria and bifido bacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics; certain yeasts and bacilli may also be used. Probiotics are commonly consumed as part of fermented foods with specially added active live cultures, such as in dahi or as dietary supplements.

38

TEST RESULTS

FOR PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

Milk Fat | Solids Not Fat | Milk Protein | Calcium | Carbohydrates | Saturated Fat | Acidity

as Lactic Acid | Phosphorus | Cholesterol | Whey

Milk Fat Fat is an essential part of any balanced diet, providing essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins and a concentrated source of energy. As per FSS Regulations and Indian Standard, curd should have the same minimum percentage of milk fat as the milk from which it is prepared. If the curd is sold or offered for sale without any indication of the class of milk, the standards prescribed for curd prepared from buffalo milk will apply.

As per their declaration, all the brands of plain curd have been made from toned milk and the probiotic curd are from double-toned milk. The minimum requirement for milk fat is 3 per cent for toned milk and 1.5 per cent for double-toned milk.

All brands fulfilled the minimum requirement for milk fat content.

Namaste India (3.6 per cent) had the highest amount of milk fat among all the tested brands. Nestle a+ Nourish with 3.2 per cent came next.

Solids Not Fat (SNF)

Apart from fat, all other solids such as protein, lactose, vitamins and minerals together make up

solids not fat. SNF is the most essential part of the milk. As all nutrients are required by the

body, higher SNF quantity is better.

As per Indian Standard, dahi should have the same minimum percentage of SNF as the milk

from which it is prepared. As mentioned earlier, all the brands of plain curd have been made

from toned milk and the probiotic curd are from double-toned milk. The minimum requirement

for SNF is 8.5 per cent for toned milk and 9 per cent for double-toned milk.

SNF content was above the minimum requirement in all brands. It was highest in

Gowardhan (10.7 per cent) among plain curd brands and in Nestle a+ Actiplus (11.9 per

cent) among the probiotic brands.

As per Dietary Guidelines for Indians by National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, 2011, diets of young children and adolescents should contain about 30 grams to 50 grams fat per day. So, a higher amount of milk fat is better for young consumers.

39

Milk Protein

Proteins are an extremely important class of naturally occurring compounds that are essential to all life processes. They perform a variety of functions in living organisms. As yet, there is no requirement in the Indian Standard for protein content in curd. We checked the brands on their declared values.

Protein content in all the brands was close to their declared value.

Mother Dairy Advanced and Namaste India had the highest protein content. Protein percentage in Britannia (plain curd) was found to be slightly less than its claim.

Mineral-Rich

While curd is rich in calcium and phosphorus, it cannot compete with liquid milk products when it comes to supplying the human body with these essential mineral compounds.

Calcium was highest in Namaste India (192.3 mg/100 gm) and lowest in Britannia (138.3 mg/100 gm).

Phosphorus was highest in Namaste India (123.1 mg/100 gm) and lowest in Nestle a+ Nourish (96.1 mg/100 gm).

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches and fibres found in milk products. Carbohydrates are a source of energy and expected to be higher in curd. Lactose is the major carbohydrate fraction in milk. Carbohydrates amount was highest in Nestle a+ Actiplus (6.9 per cent) among the probiotic brands and in Gowardhan (6 per cent) among the plain curd brands.

Saturated Fat

Saturated fats are derived from animal fat as well as vegetable fat. These fats directly raise total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and are expected to be as less as possible in curd.It should be lower the better.

40

Saturated fat was found highest in Namaste India (2.6 per cent)in plain curd category. It was lowest in Mother Dairy Advanced (1.2 %) in probiotic category.

Titratable Acidity as Lactic Acid

Total titratable acidity is the total amount of acid in the food product. Acidity is due to lactic acid produced by the action of bacteria on the lactose in milk. As acidity increases with the storage time, this parameter is also a means of checking storage conditions. Total acidity of curd is mandatorily required to be a minimum 0.6 per cent as per FSS Regulations. As per Indian Standard, which is voluntary, the same shall be in the range of 0.6 per cent to 0.8 per cent.

All the brands met the requirement mandated by FSS Regulations, with acidity in the range of 0.8 per cent to 1.3 per cent.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol plays a central role in many biochemical processes but is best known for the association of cardiovascular disease. There are two main types of cholesterol – LDL (bad cholesterol), which can result in fatty deposits in our arteries, and HDL (good cholesterol), which absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver, which flushes it from the body. Cholesterol is expected to be as low as possible.

Both the brands in the probiotic category had the lowest cholesterol. Among plain curd brands, Paras (10.4 mg/100 gm), Vita (10.3 mg/100 gm) and Britannia Daily Fresh (10.1 mg/100 gm) had the highest amounts of cholesterol. It was lowest in Gowardhan (3.4 mg/100 gm).

Whey (as separated water)

After the fat and casein have been removed from milk, one is left with whey, which contains the soluble milk salts, milk sugar and the remainder of the milk proteins. In our interpretation of the results, we have considered less whey quantity as better.

In probiotic curd category, Mother Dairy Advanced was found to have less whey. No whey was found in the plain curd brands Namaste India, Vita, Amul Masti and Britannia Daily Fresh.

41

PHYSICOCHEMICAL SCORES

Parameters

Weightag

e (%)

Probiotic Curd Plain Curd

Nestle

a+

Actiplu

s

Mother

Dairy

Advance

d

Namast

e

India

Gowardha

n

Mothe

r

Dairy

Classi

c

Madhusud

an

Nestle

a+

Nouris

h

Ananda

Gopalje

e

Vit

a

Amul

Masti

Britannia

Daily

Fresh

Paras

Milk fat 12 12 8.4 11.57 8.64 8.64 8.64 9.6 8.64 8.64

9.12 8.64 9.12

Solids not fat 10 10 9.50 7.75 9.55 7.75 7.6 8.2 7.6 8.35

7.15 8.2 7.9

Milk protein 8 7.2 8.0 7.44 6.72 6.32 7.2 6.08 6.48 6.08

6.96 6.32 6.32

Calcium 6 4.33 4.08 5.72 3.89 5.03 4.92 3.87 4.86 4.96

4.07 3.78 5.47

Carbohydrate

s

6 6 5.70 4.2 6.0 4.8 4.2 5.28 4.8 5.4 4.08 5.4 5.04

Saturated fat 5 4.5 4.75 3.1 3.70 3.70 3.70 3.4 4.0 3.85

3.55 3.40 3.55

Acidity as

lactic acid

5 2 2.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 4.5 4 3 3.5 4.5 3.5 4

Phosphorus 5 3.65 3.38 4.66 3.85 4.54 3.79 3.31 4.07 4.26

3.95 3.38 4.52

Cholesterol 4 4.0 4.0 1.92 3.87 3.62 3.36 3.55 2.53 1.66

3.55 1.72 1.63

Whey 3 1.29 2.28 3.0 1.45 2.35 1.34 1.56 2.88 3.0 3 3.0 0.9

42

As Probiotic As Their Word

Probiotic curd brands claim that they have more beneficial bacteria that are good for health. The good bacteria most commonly used as probiotics are lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. We tested the two probiotic brands as per their claim and found Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium in Nestle and Mother Dairy, respectively.

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury are toxic or poisonous when these accumulate in the body due to exposure through food or water. These should not be present in higher than the limits specified in the national standards. We tested the 12 brands for the presence of arsenic and lead.

For arsenic, the specified limit for curd is a maximum 1.1 ppm (mg/kg) as per FSS Regulations. Arsenic was not detected in any of the tested brands, the detection limit being 0.05 mg/kg.

For lead, the specified limit for secondary milk products (curd is one) is 0.02 ppm (mg/kg) as per FSS Regulations. Lead was not detected in any of the brands.

Lead is extremely toxic to humans and affects the liver, kidneys, reproductive system and nervous system. Lead exposure can happen quietly and causes permanent problems, especially to the brain. Exposure to small amounts of lead over a long period of time is called chronic toxicity. Lead is particularly dangerous because once it gets into a person’s system, it is distributed throughout the body just like helpful minerals such as iron, calcium and zinc. And lead can cause harm wherever it lands in the body.

43

Microbiological Activity

Microbiological contamination is a very serious issue for milk products. We conducted this test for coliform count and yeast and mould count. These microorganisms are responsible for many food-borne diseases. Due to improper or poor hygienic condition during the manufacturing process, microorganisms may occur in the finished product.

All the 12 curd brands were found to be free from any microbial contamination. Coliform count, as well as yeast and mould count in all the brands, were found to be <10 cfu/gm, thereby meeting the requirement.

FOR SENSORY ATTRIBUTES

Panel members judged the samples for these sensory attributes: colour and appearance, flavour, body and texture, and packing. These tests were conducted under the supervision of trained experts.

Mother Dairy Advanced was rated as the more acceptable brand among the two probiotic brands. Among the plain curd brands, Nestle, Mother Dairy and Madhusudan were rated as the best.

Brand Score out of 20

Probiotic Curd Nestle a+ Actiplus Probiotic 18.5 Mother Dairy Advanced Probiotic 18.6

Plain Curd Nestle a+ Nourish 18.3 Mother Dairy Classic 18.3 Madhusudan 18.3 Gowardhan 17.7 Britannia Daily Fresh 17.9 Ananda Gopaljee 17.9 Vita 17.1 Paras 17.0 Namaste India 17.3 Amul Masti 17.5

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Brand Major Plus

Nestle a+ Actiplus Probiotic

Highest SNF (11.7%), lowest cholesterol, carbohydrate highest

Mother Dairy Advanced Probiotic

Cheaper than Nestle, lower saturated fat and cholesterol, best in sensory tests

Nestle a+ Nourish Fares well in sensory tests meet the requirements of standards Mother Dairy Classic Fares well in sensory tests meet the requirements Madhusudan Fares well in sensory tests Gowardhan High in SNF and carbohydrates Britannia Daily Fresh Meets the specified requirements Vita Meets the specified requirements Namaste India Highest in milk fat, milk protein, calcium and phosphorus Amul Masti Relatively low cholesterol

FOR GENERAL QUALITIES

Marking/Labelling

The following details shall be marked on the product label:

a) Name of product

b) Name and address of the manufacturer

c) Net weight

d) Batch number

e) MRP

f) Date of manufacturing

g) Expiry date/’Use by’ date

h) Nutritional information

i) Storage instructions

All brands had the required information on their labels.

Packaging

Packaging plays an important role in maintaining consistent quality of the product and in

preventing its deterioration. The curd should be packed in food-grade material for it to retain

its natural properties within its shelf life.

‘Use by’ date is mentioned in foods

where shelf life is not more than

seven days and declaration of

manufacturing date may not be

required.

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All brands except Namaste India are packed in cup-shaped plastic sealed containers.

Namaste India is in a polypack. It also comes in cup packing.

Net Weight

Net weight should not be less than the declared quantity and shall be within the permitted limits of Legal Metrology Rules.

Net weight in most of the brands is either as per declaration or higher than the declared value.

Health Benefits of Curd

Curd is full of calcium, vitamin D, protein and healthy gut bacteria. There is no doubt that curd is full of nutrition and will benefit you if you include it in your daily diet. Consider these benefits:

a) Strong bones and teeth: Curd is a rich source of calcium and phosphorus and is essential for the maintenance of strong bones and teeth.

b) Helps boost immunity: Curd has been found to contain good bacteria that help to fight infections and provide a boost to your immunity levels.

c) Good for heart: Curd has been found to be great for the heart. It helps to control high blood pressure levels and lower cholesterol levels. Regular consumption of curd has been found to prevent the thickening of arteries.

d) Good for digestion: Make sure to have a bowl of curd after you have eaten spicy food. The heat from the food is neutralised by the curd that you consume. It is also great in treating peptic ulcers.

Is Branded Curd Better than Homemade one?

Yes for mainly three reasons:

a) The main ingredient that makes curd firmer and gives it a smooth texture is the high SNF content in the milk used. Commercially made curd will have higher SNF content (around 10 per cent), which is attained through techniques applied during manufacturing or through added SNF. Homemade curd will generally have SNF of around 8 per cent–9 per cent, which makes a big difference.

b) The process followed commercially is highly standardised – for example, for how long to heat milk at what temperature, when to add the culture, for how long to set the curd in an incubator, and so on. This is very difficult to follow at home, even if you know the

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parameters. Incubator temperature used to range 34 to 39-degree centigrade that is why in winters Dahi making at home used to be difficult.

c) The culture used in the commercial production of curd is a monoculture of a single cloned bacterium or it may be a mixture of some specific bacteria. This brings consistency in the texture and taste. At home, we use the culture from the previous curd, which can deteriorate over the period of reuse, and taste would change.

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Health Insurance Plans Top-up policies (including senior citizens) Sure plan for hedging chronic illnesses?

- Subas Tiwari & Gopal Ravi Kumar

All is well as long as everything is going smoothly as planned or foreseen. Life is

nice & enjoyable with family, relatives & friends….touch wood.

But when you are not well, everything is blown off…the planning, the budget,

etc. Anxiety to get well sooner and uncertainties if the ailment is taking longer

to cure & even fear if the lab tests turn out to be your foe. You would want the

best & faster treatment, be it for yourself or for your family. It is but natural for

all of us to get cured within the fastest time.

In such a situation, the 2nd bigger concern is to be able to afford the costs of

the treatment, leave alone bearing the pain. as healthcare costs are soaring

what with multi-specialty hospitals looking more like airport lounges offering

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packages from a few thousands to lakhs of rupees for treatment, it is important

to review your health insurance needs and cover any shortfall immediately. You

could face a crisis in case the expenses for hospitalization go beyond your health

insurance cover amount or if you have multiple hospitalizations within the same

year. in the latter case, in spite of having a cover, you will have to shell out

additional money from your pocket to meet the shortfall.

It is important that you consider the fact that with rising inflation, the health

insurance covers of Rs.2.00 or Rs.3.00 lakhs provided by your current health

insurance policy may be totally inadequate on the face of a simple medical

procedure or hospitalization. At the same time, buying a large insurance cover

within the current policy either may not be affordable or available.

Our CV readers need to be reminded here that we have carried the following

stories on this subject during the last 5 years from time to time. But we feel the

need to update the stories as & when there are new players in the medical

insurance sector or some improvements have been made by the insurance

companies in the product going by their experience in claim settlement & user-

feedback.

TOP UP HEALTH INSURANCE - JANUARY 2017

SENIOR CITIZEN HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS –MAY 2014

HEALTH INSURANCE- FAMILY FLOATER POLICIES –DECEMBER 2013

HEALTH INSURANCE- POLICIES ANALYZED -AUGUST 2013

Top-up is often a confusing term!

Every Insurance company is talking about “TOP-UP”. We also seem to be

understanding somewhat, but we are not really sure. Surely, it is the most

confusing term! Top-up in mobile applications means that you put more money

into the existing service Plan (where the money has already exhausted) with

new validity & that’s it. The mobile is now in working mode. And another thing

in mobiles which we all know- it is only applicable for pre-paid SIM. However,

in Health Insurance Plans, Top-Up Plan is different! So go ahead & read

further….

What is the ‘Top Up’ Plan in Health Insurance?

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Unlike normal hospitalization policies, top-up plans come with a deductible or

threshold limit. You have to select the threshold limit at the time of purchasing

the policy, which is the amount up to which you or your existing policy can pay

the medical bills. As long as your present ailment is fully met by your existing

policy & the hospital bills meet the policy claim amount (either in cashless or

reimbursement method), there’s no worry & the top-up plan does not work

here.

Topup plans work when your hospital bills show expenditure in excess of the

medical insurance claim estimates cleared (either by the in-house arrangement

or through a Third Party Administrator) by the insurance company. In such a

case, you can very well file an additional claim on the top-up policy on the same

hospital bills for treatment undergone.

A top-up health insurance plan covers hospitalization costs beyond this

specified limit (called the base amount policy). A top-up health policy is an

additional coverage for people who have an existing individual plan or a medical

group insurance from the employer/organization. It is for reimbursement of

expenditure which arises out of single illness beyond the limit of the existing

cover, if any.

Under what circumstance this Policy can be bought?

When you have not yet taken any Health Insurance Policy so far

You do have a basic/regular health insurance policy with say, ‘X’

company but your “X” company does not provide a Top-up cover

You have an existing health insurance policy, but the sum assured cover

is not significant to cover huge hospitalization costs

You want to minimize the premium amount to get a top-up cover

which assures you to cover huge hospitalization costs

What is the difference between a ‘normal’ Health Insurance Plan & a ‘Top-

up’ Plan?

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The only difference between a normal health insurance plan and a top-up plan

is the DEDUCTIBLE (or THRESHOLD). The higher the deductible, the lesser will

be the premium amount due to less insurance risk on the company. There is a

condition to using top-up plan, that is if your hospital bills cross the deductible

limit during the hospitalization only at that time you can use the top-up plan.

Top up health insurance policies come handy when the threshold of the

existing health cover is already used or exhausted and there are some more

medical costs left to deal with, which would otherwise exert pressure on your

financial savings.

You must, however, check deductible criteria for pre-existing disease, single

illness, and pre/ post-hospitalization. For example, let’s assume that you have

a top-up health cover of Rs.10 lakhs sum assured with the threshold limit of

Rs.3 lakhs, in which case the policy will only cover your expenses beyond Rs.3

lakhs only. If your claim amount is Rs. 8 lakhs, then the insurance company will

only pay you Rs.5 lakhs (8 – 3), and NOT Rs.8 lakhs, whereas in a regular Health

Insurance Policy of Sum Insured of Rs. 8 lakhs, the entire amount of the claim,

i.e., Rs.8 lakhs would be paid. It is another matter that the premium amount

will be much much more than that in a Top-up Policy. However, that’s the main

difference between a regular health cover policy and a top-up cover policy.

What are Deductibles/Threshold Limits & How are they different from Co-

Pay? Deductibles-

It means a cost-sharing requirement under a health insurance policy that

provides that the insurer will not be liable for a specified rupee amount in case

of base policies which will apply before any benefits are payable by the insurer.

However, a deductible does not reduce the Sum Insured.

It means the amount of hospitalization expenses that you need to bear, before

the Policy starts paying. You can opt for a limit that suits your pocket, as it is

your cash contribution & the insurance provider will not pay you up to the

‘deductible’ limit chosen by you. Only when the hospitalization expenses go

beyond this ‘deductible’, the role of insurance provider comes into ‘play’.

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Threshold-

It is the level up to which your existing Health Insurance policy covers

hospitalization expenses or you meet these expenses out of your own pocket.

Beyond this level, the liability to provide medical cover lay with the insurance

company who has provided you with a Top-up Plan.

Co-Pay-

Co-Pay means concurrent liability to pay a certain amount of your own

contribution on a health policy to avail the health benefit available up to the

Sum Assured subject to the type of policy or age restriction or other conditions

enshrined in the Policy. This is always at a certain percentage of the Sum

Assured.

If I already have a Basic Health Insurance Policy, how do I do top-up?

It is not compulsory to have a health reimbursement policy to buy a top-up plan

but it is futile to take a top-up policy unless you have reimbursement cover

equal to at least the ‘threshold limit’ of the top-up plan. This way you will be

able to take care of your bills even before the top-up plan starts working. Top-

up can be resorted to even if you have a group health cover from your

employer.

What additional benefits/cover some top-up Plans provide (on payment of

the additional premium)?

Personal Accident Cover

Critical Illness cover

Hospital Daily Cash

What are its limitations?

o While most of the claims under Top up Plans are considered in cashless

mode by going in for pre-authorization (beyond the deductible limit),

most of the Super Top plans work on reimbursement basis (post-

hospitalization period) and not a cashless one. They will pay the claim

amount after the insurer gets the details of all the medical bills, to assess

52

whether the policyholder has paid the deductible limit by himself or

through any existing health insurance policy.

o Buying a Top-up presupposes an existing basic health insurance policy,

which may not be the case with every consumer. There are many

consumers who may be still debating in their minds about which policy

to buy. In such a scenario, he will be buying a top-up policy with a higher

premium, than those who already have a basic policy & going in for a top-

up.

o Even if you do not have a basic health insurance policy, if you buy a top-

up policy directly, the premium would be higher than the No.2 option

described above, which may affect the judgment of the policy-buyer.

o The basic top-up plan only covers only one hospitalization claim (beyond

the deductible limit) during the tenure of the policy, which may not suit

certain sections of the society (such as senior citizens who could land up

with more than one hospitalization, albeit, for different ailments).

o Top-up plans come into ‘play’ only when the claim is more than the

deductible chosen by you. If your claim is within the deductible, then

there would be no claim to be filed with the insurance company, as the

claim amount is to be met by you out of your own pocket or through the

existing health insurance policy. But the moot question is if the existing

insurance company does not provide top-up cover, then you can end up

buying another policy to cover top-up amount, which may prove costly

in terms of a higher premium.

Do all the General Health Insurance Companies provide top-up plans?

No. The Insurance companies listed in the Product Chart offer Top-Up Plans;

there could be some others, but their offer has not been ‘transparent’ if you

look them up on their website.

I am having a Health Insurance Policy of ‘X’ Company, but they do not offer

top-up plans. Then what should I do?

53

You can buy the top-up and the health insurance plan from two different

companies, but it is advisable to buy the same from a single insurer as it will

save you money and time as well.

Super-top-up Plans are slightly different from ordinary Top-up Plans

A top-up cover will pay you only for your claim amount (bill for a single

hospitalization). Super Top-up plan considers ‘the total of all the bills’ in

any given year. Super Top-up plan covers ‘multiple’ hospitalizations and

they look at the aggregate claim. This means they put together several

cases of hospitalization to calculate the deductible limit (threshold limit).

Super top up plans takes into consideration the total of the bills in a year and not just the single hospitalization bill (of course above the

threshold limit).

What are the major inclusions in a top-up policy?

Medically necessary hospitalization expenses as a result of any disease or

injury due to an accident

Pre-hospitalization & post-hospitalization expenses

In case of Organ transplant, hospitalization expenses of donor inclusive

of pre/post hospitalization expenses

Ambulance expenses within prescribed limits

Day Care expenses

Domiciliary hospitalization expenses

Pre-existing diseases subject to waiting periods & subject to the prior

declaration at the time of taking the policy or on renewal of the policy

Maternity expenses

What are the major exclusions in a top-up policy?

Any medical expenses incurred for any ailment/disease contracted

during the first 30 days prior to taking the policy except on account of

sudden accidents

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Any disease contracted during the waiting period as prescribed in the

policy

Genetic disorder & Stem Cell implantation/surgery

Dental treatment or surgery unless necessitated on account of accidents

requiring hospitalization

Cosmetic surgery including for obesity

Out-patient treatment expenses

Expenses for treatment received outside India

Expenses incurred on diagnostic tests

Naturopathy Treatment/Acupressure/Acupuncture/Magnetic Therapies

INDIVIDUAL POLICY Unique Selling Point (USP)

CIGNA TTK- PRO-HEALTH APOLLO MUNICH- OPTIMA SUPER SBI GENERAL- AROGYA TOP UP IFFCO-TOKIO: HEALTH PROTECTOR +

-No additional premium payment for Value-added covers like Health check-up, Expert opinion on Critical illness, cumulative bonus, health rewards, etc. -Worldwide emergency cover -New born baby expenses -First-year baby vaccinations -Waiver of mandatory co-pay on payment of additional premium for those above 65 years of age -A lot of ailments covered on loading on premium -Waiver of deductible if you are a policyholder continuously for a minimum of 5 years -Maternity expenses covered -Day care treatment available -Super Top up cover available (for more than one illness/disease)

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ICICI LOMBARD- HEALTH BOOSTER RELIGARE HEALTH- ENHANCE UNITED INDIA –TOPUP MEDICARE MAX BUPA- HEALTH COMPANION BAJAJ ALLIANZ-EXTRA CARE FUTURE GENERALI- FUTURE HEALTH SURPLUS

-Super Top-up cover available -Complimentary Annual Check up -Annual health check up -Obesity expenses allowed subject to 15% additional loading on premium Maximum age of entry is 80 years Sum insured is up to Rs.100 lakhs No medical checkup required up to 55 years of age No medical checkup required up to 55 years of age

Product Comparison Chart

Based on the product on “offer” by the non-life insurance companies and

taking into account their product structure, we have constructed a Product

Comparison Chart to understand their product & the benefits they offer in

their product. You can view them in the Annexure.

Identification of most/important & most/influential variables and

Justification for assigning points to chosen variables Based on the consumer feedback which indicates the important/influential variables & the popularity of the product offered in the insurance market, we have picked those variables & have assigned points to indicate their importance/ Influence to the consumers-at-large in order to arrive at the BEST, GOOD & FAIR

BUYS so that our readers can take an informed decision when a need to take

such a policy arises in the near future.

Things to Remember! Your Checklist!

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Purchase a health policy early in your life

Demand/seek improved health cover/topup by keeping deductible

limit to the minimum (this could depend on your health profile, age &

fund affordability)

seek maximum sum assured so as to pay only the minimum premium

It is advisable for senior citizens to go in for super topup plan even

though the premium costs could be higher; it’s worth the salt!

CV RECOMMENDATION

BEST BUY ICICI LOMBARD (Health Booster)

GOOD BUYS 1. SBI GENERAL ((Arogya Top up)

2. CIGNA TTK (Pro Health)

FAIR BUYS 1. Religare Health (Enhance)

2. IFFCO-TOKIO (Health Protector Plus)