garlic
Garlic is a bulb used as a flavouring and seasoning in many packaged foods. It adds taste and smell, and most people eat it without any problem.
Not a declarable allergen
This is not on India’s mandatory declaration list. It may still matter to you, and you can add it to your own avoid list.
What it is
Garlic is a plant bulb made up of smaller sections called cloves. It is grown widely in India and across the world. In packaged foods it is used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an extract or oil. It has a strong smell and taste because of sulphur compounds it contains.
Nutrition
Garlic is usually eaten in small amounts, so it adds very little in terms of calories, protein or fat to a food. It does contain small amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese, along with plant compounds that give it its smell and taste. In packaged foods its main role is flavour rather than nutrition.
How it can affect health
Can affect: In normal food amounts, garlic is generally well tolerated and mainly affects taste and smell of food and breath. In large amounts it can cause an upset stomach, heartburn, gas or bad breath in some people, and raw garlic on skin or empty stomach can irritate some individuals.
Who should limit it
People who are allergic to garlic or related plants like onion may need to avoid it. People on blood thinning medicines or those preparing for surgery are often told by doctors to watch their garlic intake because it may affect blood clotting. People with sensitive stomachs or acid reflux may find it worsens symptoms.
Where it is found
Garlic is commonly used in packaged snacks, instant noodles, sauces, pickles, masalas, chips and ready to cook spice mixes sold in India. It often appears as dried garlic powder or granules in ingredient lists.
Also written as
No other names are recorded for this yet.
Names in other languages
- हिन्दी
- लहसुन
- मराठी
- लसूण
- বাংলা
- রসুন
- தமிழ்
- பூண்டு
- తెలుగు
- వెల్లుల్లి
- ಕನ್ನಡ
- ಬೆಳ್ಳುಳ್ಳಿ
Products on Laddoo that list it
In alphabetical order.
- Maggi 2-Minute Masala NoodlesNestlé India · Instant noodles
- Schezwan ChutneyChing's Secret · Namkeen
- SCHEZWAN FRIED RICE MASALAChing's Secret · Staples
Matched against each printed ingredient list. A pack not listed here may still contain it under a name we have not matched: check its label.
Questions people ask
- Is garlic good or bad for health?
- Garlic is a flavouring ingredient that most people can eat without issue, and it is not accurate to call it simply good or bad. In large amounts it may cause stomach discomfort or interact with certain medicines.
- Does garlic in packaged food have the same effect as fresh garlic?
- Dried or powdered garlic used in packaged foods is usually present in small amounts mainly for taste, so its effect is much milder than eating fresh garlic cloves regularly.
- Can garlic cause bad breath or body odour?
- Yes, garlic contains sulphur compounds that can cause noticeable breath and body odour after eating, especially in larger amounts.
- Does garlic help lower cholesterol or blood pressure?
- Some studies suggest garlic may have a modest effect on cholesterol and blood pressure, but results are mixed and packaged food amounts are usually too small to expect a meaningful effect.
- Can garlic cause allergic reactions?
- Some people can be allergic to garlic and may notice skin irritation, stomach upset or other allergic symptoms after eating or touching it.
This page is written by AI as general information about the ingredient, not about any pack. It is not medical advice.