Quality of selected commercial pickles and chutneys were evaluated by conducting a baseline survey on the consumer attitude towards the products and analyzing the selected products for adulterants and performing sensory evaluation. The pickle and chutney samples were analyzed in selected accredited laboratories for the physicochemical parameters such as fluid portion percent by mass of the net mass, acidity as citric acid (% mg/gm), sodium benzoate (mg/Kg), arsenic (mg/Kg), Lead (mg/Kg), copper (mg/Kg), zinc (mg/Kg), tin (mg/Kg). The result showed that all the commercial samples have fluid portion within the BSTI range except samples 'D' and 'E' and all the heavy metals were below the detection level. In case of samples 'A' and 'B' acidity was lower than the optimum value. However, preservative used in the samples are much higher than that of accepted level. From the sensory and organoleptic evaluation it was found that the average scores obtained by the pickles and chutney products for colour & texture, taste & flavor, absence of defects and total scores were satisfactory in comparison to BSTI standard. Concerning to total energy content mango pickles sample 'A' has greater energy content than sample 'B'. Among chutneys sample 'C' has greater energy content where sugar is the main source of energy. In conclusion, commercial pickle and chutney may be recommended as safe and fit for consumption as the values for quality and sensory parameters comply with the BSTI standards. The current views of consumers about the quality of commercial pickle and chutney obtained from the baseline survey has been proved wrong after comparing analyzed values with those standards.

The study was done to evaluate the quality status of selected commercial brands of juices and jams based on laboratory analysis and public perception. The entire research work was carried out in two phases to evaluate the quality of juices and jams, available in local market. In phase I, a comprehensive baseline survey was done to know the public perception and this revealed that, according to the notion of most respondents, commercial juice and jam products available in market were adulterated by harmful food colors, low grade fruits and harmful preservatives and these were harmful for health. Besides, some outcome from this survey, such as, avoiding low quality products and adopting BSTI standard, enforcing law and imposing punishment and social motivation of food consumers to prevent adulteration. In phase II, chemical analysis and sensory evaluation of selected samples were done. The collected samples were four different brands of mango juices, two different brands of mango jam, two different brands of pineapple jam and apple jam from one brand. Different parameters of collected samples like moisture content, ash content, total soluble solid content, pH, acidity as citric acid, total plate count, yeast and mold count, preservative (Sulphur dioxide and Sodium benzoate) content and heavy metal (As, Pb, Cu, Zn and Sn) content were analyzed. Heavy metal content in every sample was below the detection level. Microbial load was in safe level according to gulf standard. However, preservative content in few samples was quite higher than acceptable limit. Other parameters of collected samples were in acceptable limits. Sensory evaluation showed that all commercial jam and juice samples were more or less equally acceptable and all products obtained satisfactory total score from sensory evaluation.