The Quality of Salted Potato Chips Available on the Polish Market

Abstract

Potato chips are a commonly known snack eaten by people of all ages. Due to the high fat and salt content, as well as acrylamide and trans fatty acids resulting from high temperature frying, they are considered to be unhealthy. Nevertheless, they have a desirable taste, often improved by the addition of monosodium glutamate, and are therefore frequently consumed. On the Polish market there are many food companies that produce potato chips. It is therefore an important foodstuff on the market. However, prices and nutritional values can differ significantly. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of salted potato chips available on the Polish market. For this purpose, seven products offered by different producers were chosen. Samples were collected from four production batches, and the nutritional values and acid and peroxide values were analysed. Sensory quality, then number of damaged or structurally defective chips and the integrity of the packaging were examined. The results show that the nutrients and sensory quality of salted potato chips available on the Polish market differ significantly.

Keywords

• snacks
• potato chips
• salted potato chips
• quality of potato chips