Packaged foods sold in food stores can be "private-label" products, are branded by supermarkets, and they become "branded" products. Private-label products are generally cheaper than branded counterparts, and this is perceived by consumers as a sign of general lower quality when these private-label items are compared with their branded counterparts. Thus, the aim of the present study was to shed light on the labeling of Rajasthani food products and the nutritional quality of private-label and branded food products sold in Bhilwara city. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the nutritional declarations reported on food packs of products on home-shopping websites by major retailers present in the Rajasthani food products market. A total of 3,775 items (~58% branded and ~42% private-label) collected over the period July 2018 to March 2019 and updated in March 2020 were included in the final analysis. Data were analyzed by means of the Mann–Whitney non-parametric test, for two independent samples, for differences between branded and private-label categories and types. Overall, branded products showed higher content of total and saturated than private-label items. When products were grouped for categories and types, the items differed only for the content of total fat, saturated, total carbohydrate, protein and salt. Instead no difference was found for energy and sugar content in either category. However, we did not find any consistency and singnificant in the direction of the results. These results may be useful for future education activities aimed at helping consumers make informed food choices.

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Keywords: Rajasthani Food Products, Nutrition Declaration, Private Label, Food Labeling, Brand, Nutrition and Health Claims.