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Malt Based Food
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.5 ShowHide
Reviewed 1 time · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This malt-based food product, marketed for children, contains a significant amount of added sugar and an ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c) which is associated with a possible carcinogen. While it provides some cereal and milk solids, the high sugar content and the presence of the IARC Group 2B classified caramel colour are primary concerns for its intended young audience.
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 food, aimed at children, is high in added sugar, which the WHO advises limiting. It also contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which can generate 4-MEI, a substance classified by IARC as Group 2B, meaning it is possibly carcinogenic to humans. While the product offers some nutritional components from cereals and milk, these concerns are particularly relevant for children due to their developing systems and smaller body size.
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)
LimitHigh added sugar content is a concern for dental health and overall dietary balance in young children. WHO advises limiting free sugars.
Other audiences
LimitContains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which is associated with 4-MEI, a substance classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Exposure to such additives is a greater concern for children due to their smaller body size and developing systems.
Specific sensitivities
Avoid if affectedContains barley, wheat, malted barley, and wheat flour, all of which contain gluten and are unsuitable for individuals with gluten-related disorders.
Contains milk solids and soy protein isolate, which are common allergens and must be avoided by children with these specific allergies.
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 minerals and vitamins
Contains a blend of cereal extracts and grains
Watch out for
High added sugar content, particularly for a product aimed at children
Contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), linked to a possible carcinogen (4-MEI)
Contains common allergens: wheat, barley (gluten), milk, and soy
Contains nature identical flavouring substances, whose specific compounds are not disclosed
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, a substance classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). The concentration of 4-MEI is not stated on the label.
High in added sugar, which is a significant concern for children's health, dental hygiene, and overall dietary balance, as advised by WHO guidelines.
Contains wheat and barley, which are sources of gluten and common allergens. Also contains milk solids and soy protein isolate, which are common allergens.
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 of '3X MORE STAMINA' is a comparative benefit that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition information.
The claim 'CLINICALLY PROVEN' is a statement about scientific validation that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition information.
The ingredient list shows Malted Barley (21%) and Cereal Extract (50%) which includes Barley and Wheat, supporting the claim of being a malt-based food.
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 50%Cereal Extract (50%)
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Barley within Cereal Extract
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Wheat within Cereal Extract
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Millet within Cereal Extract
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2.
Malted Barley 21%Malted Barley (21%)
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3.
Sugar
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4.
Wheat FlourWheat Flour (Atta)
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5.
Milk Solids 6%Milk Solids (6%)
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6.
Minerals
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7.
Natural Colour synthetic colourAmmonia caramel (INS 150C)Natural Colour (INS 150c)
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8.
Wheat Gluten
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9.
Acidity RegulatorsPotassium carbonates (INS 501), Sodium carbonates (INS 500)Acidity Regulators [INS 501(ii), INS 500(ii)]
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10.
Edible Iodised Salt
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11.
Cocoa Powder
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12.
Vitamins
-
13.
Nature Identical Flavouring Substances undisclosed flavouring
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14.
Soy Protein Isolate
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.
The label declares each of these as a blend and then lists what is in it. The components appear in the groups above on their own merits, so the blend itself is shown here rather than counted a second time.
✓ 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.
Also on this shelf
More Health & Malt Drink (Bournvita, Horlicks) products we've analysed, in name order.
-
Complan Complan 100% Milk Protein
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Horlicks Horlicks Classic Malt
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Complan Royale Chocolate flavour
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Glucon-D Tangy Orange
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Junior Horlicks Vanilla Flavour
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What are the ingredients in Malt Based Food?
The label of Malt Based Food lists 17 ingredients, in label order: Cereal Extract, Barley, Wheat, Millet, Malted Barley, Sugar, Wheat Flour, Milk Solids, Minerals, Natural Colour, Wheat gluten, Acidity Regulator, Edible Iodised Salt, Cocoa powder, Vitamins, Nature identical flavouring substances, Soy protein isolate. Flagged by the analysis: Natural Colour, Nature identical flavouring substances.
Is Malt Based Food safe to eat?
Malt Based Food scores 1.5/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This malt-based food, aimed at children, is high in added sugar, which the WHO advises limiting. It also contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which can generate 4-MEI, a substance classified by IARC as Group 2B, meaning it is possibly carcinogenic to humans. While the product offers some nutritional components from cereals and milk, these concerns are particularly relevant for children due to their developing systems and smaller body size.
Why does Malt Based Food score 1.5/10?
What the analysis notes: High added sugar content, particularly for a product aimed at children. Contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), linked to a possible carcinogen (4-MEI). Contains common allergens: wheat, barley (gluten), milk, and soy.
Who should avoid Malt Based Food?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding high added sugar; Avoiding IARC Group 2B classified additives; Gluten sensitivity or celiac disease; Milk allergy; Soy allergy.
Is Malt Based Food suitable for babies or young children?
Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Malt Based Food contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Milk Solids), soy (Soy protein isolate) and gluten (Barley, Wheat, Malted Barley and Wheat Flour). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does 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 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 Malt Based Food contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Barley, Wheat, Malted Barley and Wheat Flour. People with gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease) should treat it as containing gluten, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Is 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 Malt Based Food pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 3 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "3X MORE STAMINA" — can't be verified from the label. "CLINICALLY PROVEN" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Malt Based Food vegetarian?
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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