As soon as the summer season arrives, people begin to crave ice cream. However, many are unaware that what they are eating with such gusto—believing it to be ice cream—may actually be a "frozen dessert."

Yes, quite often, the product people assume to be ice cream is actually labeled as "Frozen Dessert" on its packaging. Most people do not know the difference between the two; yet, there are significant distinctions in terms of taste, ingredients, and health implications. Let's find out what your frosty treat actually is.

What is the Real Difference?
The biggest difference between ice cream and a frozen dessert lies in the source of their fat content.

Ice Cream: According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), authentic ice cream is made using milk and dairy fat. It utilizes cream and milk, which naturally give it a thick and creamy texture.
Frozen Dessert: Frozen desserts look exactly like ice cream, but instead of dairy fat, they are made using vegetable oils—such as palm oil—or hydrogenated vegetable fats. While they may contain milk solids, the primary source of fat is not dairy-based.

Which is Better for Your Health?
The milk fat present in ice cream is natural and contains healthy fats. In contrast, the vegetable oils used in frozen desserts are often rich in saturated fats, which are generally not considered beneficial for heart health.

Both products contain a significant amount of sugar; therefore, individuals with diabetes should exercise caution in either case.
In terms of calorie count, both may be roughly equivalent; however, to achieve a creamy consistency, frozen desserts often rely heavily on the use of artificial emulsifiers and stabilizers.

How Can You Identify the Difference?
Front Label of the Packet: The front of the product packaging clearly states whether the item is "Ice Cream" or a "Frozen Dessert." List of Ingredients—If the ingredients list mentions vegetable oil or vegetable fat, it is a frozen dessert. If it lists milk fat or cream, it is genuine ice cream.
Price—Generally, frozen desserts are slightly cheaper than genuine ice cream because vegetable oil is less expensive than milk cream.

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