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Boost Malt Based Food
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.5 ShowHide
Reviewed 2 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This malt-based beverage, marketed for children, contains a significant amount of added sugar, which is a primary nutritional concern for its target audience. It also includes ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which is associated with the formation of 4-MEI, classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). While the concentration of 4-MEI is not stated on the label, this additive is a notable concern for parents. The product is highly processed and contains nature-identical flavouring substances, whose specific compounds are not disclosed.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Minerals
- Vitamins
Declared allergens: Milk, Soy and Gluten
Relevant if you have any of these allergies or intolerances.
Based on the declared ingredient list. This is a risk only to people with the allergy, not a general-population safety issue, so it does not lower the safety score.
High added sugar; contains IARC-classified ammonia caramel colour
This malt-based drink for children has a high sugar content, which is a key nutritional consideration for young users. It also contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), an additive that can generate 4-MEI, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The product is highly processed and includes undisclosed nature-identical flavouring substances.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 9.5 g per 100 g.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for beverage. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitThis product has a high added sugar content, which can contribute to dental caries and unhealthy dietary patterns in young children. Parents should limit intake.
Other audiences
LimitContains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which is associated with 4-MEI, classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Parents should consider this when choosing products.
Specific sensitivities
Avoid if affectedContains wheat flour and wheat gluten, which are sources of gluten and unsuitable for children with these conditions.
Contains milk solids, which are dairy-derived ingredients and may cause allergic reactions or digestive issues in sensitive children.
Why the score is capped
Contains ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d) — which can generate 4-MEI during manufacture — IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); this label does not state its concentration
Rule F-CAP-10 · Source: IARC / EFSA classification of the additive
Highly processed (NOVA) and high total sugar
Rule F-CAP-07
What's good
Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
Watch out for
High added sugar content, a primary nutritional concern for children.
Presence of ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), linked to a possible carcinogen (4-MEI).
Highly processed formulation with multiple additives.
Undisclosed nature-identical flavouring substances.
Natural Colour — flagged as a high-level concern — see the ingredient breakdown below.
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Added Sugars
Sugars added to food, and the sugars in honey, syrups and fruit juice concentrates, are "free sugars". The WHO guideline recommends that they stay below 10% of total energy intake and suggests below 5% for additional benefit. Where the sugar sits in the ingredient list and how many grams the panel declares is what matters; this is information, because the nutrition score already prices the grams.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: WHO, Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children (2015)
Added Sugars: regulation, sources and other products →Flavouring Substances
Indian rules classify added flavours as natural, nature-identical (chemically synthesised copies of natural compounds) or artificial, and require the class to be declared. The label names the class, not the compounds, so a reader cannot see which substances make up the blend, or whether it carries something they avoid. This is information about transparency, not a finding of harm.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, flavours; FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020
Flavouring Substances: regulation, sources and other products →Wheat Flour
Wheat and wheat-derived ingredients contain gluten, which triggers an autoimmune response in people with celiac disease, causing intestinal damage. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or wheat allergy must also avoid this ingredient. Labelled as a major allergen by FSSAI.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FSSAI Food Labelling Regulations; Celiac Disease Foundation
Wheat Flour: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which can generate 4-MEI during manufacture. IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). The concentration of 4-MEI is not stated on the label.
High added sugar content, which is a significant nutritional concern for children, the intended audience for this product. WHO advises keeping free sugar intake under 10% of energy, ideally under 5%.
Contains Wheat Flour and Wheat Gluten, which are sources of gluten and not suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Contains Milk Solids, a common allergen.
Contains Nature identical flavouring substances, whose individual compounds are not listed on the label, which may be a concern for individuals with sensitivities to specific flavouring agents.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The claim refers to a promotional offer that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient list or nutrition facts.
The claim of providing 3X more stamina is a performance claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts.
The claim of being clinically proven is a scientific substantiation claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts.
The ingredients list Malted Barley (Extracted Solids) as the second highest ingredient, supporting the claim of being malt-based.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
Cereal Extract 49%Cereal Extract (49%)
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2.
Malted Barley 21%Malted Barley (Extracted Solids) (21%)
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3.
Sugar
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4.
Wheat Flour 6.5%Wheat Flour (6.5%)
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5.
Milk Solids 6%Milk Solids (6%)
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6.
Minerals
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7.
Wheat Gluten
-
8.
Natural ColourNatural Colour [INS 150c]
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9.
Acidity RegulatorsAcidity Regulators [INS 501(ii), INS 500(ii)]
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10.
Salt
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11.
Cocoa Powder
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12.
Vitamins
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13.
Soy Protein Isolate 0.28% trace amountSoy Protein Isolate (0.28%)
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14.
Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
These are major food allergens named on the ingredient list. They are a risk only to people allergic to them — not a general-population safety issue — so they do not lower the safety score. Anyone with the allergy should avoid this product, and check the pack’s own allergen statement.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 369 kcal |
| Protein | 7.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 80 g |
| Total Sugars | 35 g |
| Added Sugars | 9.5 g |
| Total Fat | 2.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 2 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Cholesterol | 5 mg |
| Vitamin A | 625 mcg |
| B1 | 2.8 mg |
| B2 | 2.8 mg |
| B3 | 30 mg |
| B5 | 5 mg |
| B6 | 3.15 mg |
| B7 | 25 mcg |
| B9 | 562 mcg |
| B12 | 5.65 mcg |
| C | 188 mg |
| D | 3.15 mcg |
| Calcium | 577 mg |
| Copper | 875 mcg |
| Iodine | 198 mcg |
| Iron | 44.5 mg |
| Magnesium | 82.5 mg |
| Zinc | 4.6 mg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
Compare with other health malt drink products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
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What are the ingredients in Boost Malt Based Food?
The label of Boost Malt Based Food lists 14 ingredients, in label order: Cereal Extract, Malted Barley, Sugar, Wheat Flour, Milk Solids, Minerals, Wheat gluten, Natural Colour, Acidity Regulator, Salt, Cocoa powder, Vitamins, Soy protein isolate, Nature identical flavouring substances. Flagged by the analysis: Natural Colour, Nature identical flavouring substances.
Is Boost Malt Based Food safe to eat?
Boost Malt Based Food scores 1.5/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This malt-based drink for children has a high sugar content, which is a key nutritional consideration for young users. It also contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), an additive that can generate 4-MEI, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The product is highly processed and includes undisclosed nature-identical flavouring substances.
Why does Boost Malt Based Food score 1.5/10?
What the analysis notes: High added sugar content, a primary nutritional concern for children. Presence of ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), linked to a possible carcinogen (4-MEI). Highly processed formulation with multiple additives.
Who should avoid Boost Malt Based Food?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding high added sugar for children; Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Sensitive to wheat/gluten; Sensitive to milk solids; Avoiding undisclosed flavouring compounds.
Is Boost Malt Based Food suitable for babies or young children?
Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Boost Malt Based Food contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Milk Solids), soy (Soy protein isolate) and gluten (Malted Barley, Wheat Flour and Wheat gluten). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Boost Malt Based Food contain milk?
Yes — the ingredient list names Milk Solids. People with milk allergy / lactose intolerance should treat it as containing milk, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Boost Malt Based Food contain soy?
Yes — the ingredient list names Soy protein isolate. People with soy allergy should treat it as containing soy, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Boost Malt Based Food contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Malted Barley, Wheat Flour and Wheat gluten. People with gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease) should treat it as containing gluten, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Is Boost Malt Based Food high in sugar?
Yes — 35 g of total sugar per 100 g, above the 22.5 g per 100 g that UK front-of-pack labelling marks as high. The label declares 9.5 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Are the claims on the Boost Malt Based Food pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 4 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "50 g FREE" — can't be verified from the label. "3X MORE STAMINA" — can't be verified from the label. "CLINICALLY PROVEN" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Boost Malt Based Food vegetarian?
Boost Malt Based Food is marked vegetarian.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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