Abstract
Banana chips are very common snacks like potato chips, all over the world. These are produced
by deep frying in edible oil which are then either plain salted or spiced before packaging. The
primary packaging of the chips depends on the desired shelf life of the products. If these are
sold fast, then normally these are packed in polyethylene bags or poly propylene bags, heat
sealed and sold. The oxygen from the trapped air do not generate fatty acid peroxides to the
extent, which could be harmful to human health, nor does the moisture in the trapped air alter
the texture of the chips inside. However, the free fatty acid content of the cooking oil also
plays an important role, in making the products safe at the same time extending the shelf life
a bit longer than usual. In this study the 2 edible oils used were refined sunflower oil and
palmolein. The chips were crispier for 45 days (total shelf life checked was 60 days) when fried
in sunflower oil than in palm oil, when packed in low density polyethylene film. The chips were
rancid and with significant loss of texture when packed in polypropylene films.