New Delhi: Ice cream is a favourite treat for both children and adults. However, not every cold and creamy product sold in the market is actually ice cream.
Some products are classified as frozen desserts. They may look and taste similar to ice cream, but their ingredients can be quite different.
Knowing the difference can help consumers make better purchasing decisions.
What Is the Difference Between Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert?
The main difference between ice cream and frozen dessert is the type of fat used during manufacturing.
Traditional ice cream is made using milk, cream and milk fat. These ingredients give it a rich taste and creamy texture.
Frozen desserts, on the other hand, generally use vegetable fats instead of milk fat. Common examples include:
- Palm oil
- Palm kernel oil
- Other plant-based fats
Therefore, checking the ingredients is one of the easiest ways to identify the product.
How Do They Taste Different?
The type of fat can affect the taste and texture of the product.
Ice cream usually has a rich and creamy texture because of its dairy fat content. It can also melt quickly in the mouth.
Frozen desserts may have a slightly different texture. Some consumers may notice a mildly oily or waxy sensation because of the vegetable fats used.
However, taste and texture can vary between different products and individual preferences.
What Does FSSAI Say?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has regulations governing the labeling of frozen products.
Products that do not meet the applicable standards for being marketed as “Ice Cream” must not be sold under that name. Products formulated as frozen desserts are required to be appropriately labeled as “Frozen Dessert.”
This labeling helps consumers understand what they are purchasing.
Is Ice Cream More Expensive?
Price can sometimes provide a general indication of the product type.
Milk fat is generally more expensive than vegetable fat. As a result, genuine ice cream may cost more than some frozen dessert products.
However, price should not be the only factor used to identify ice cream.
Consumers should always check the product label and ingredient list.
How to Check the Label
The easiest way to distinguish between the two is to read the ingredients carefully.
Look for terms such as:
- Milk Fat – indicates the use of dairy fat.
- Vegetable Fat – indicates the use of plant-based fat.
- Palm Oil – a vegetable fat commonly used in some frozen desserts.
- Palm Kernel Oil – another plant-based fat used in frozen products.
The exact formulation can vary by product, so consumers should read the complete ingredient list and product name.
Make an Informed Choice
Ice cream and frozen desserts can look very similar on supermarket shelves. However, their ingredients and manufacturing formulations can differ.
Before buying a packaged frozen treat, consumers should check the product name, ingredient list and label information.
This simple habit can help shoppers choose a product according to their taste, dietary preferences and budget.
