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Brand owned by Mondelez International (United States) · about the brand
Cereal Based Beverage Mix
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 3.6 ShowHide
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 beverage mix, marketed for children, contains a significant amount of added sugar and an ammonia-process caramel colour (150c) which can generate 4-methylimidazole, classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). While the label does not state the concentration of 4-methylimidazole, this is a notable concern for a product aimed at a vulnerable population.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Cocoa Solids
- 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 beverage mix, aimed at children, is high in added sugar, which is a concern for children's health and dental hygiene. It also contains Caramel Colour (150c), an ammonia-process colour that can generate 4-methylimidazole, which is classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 32.2 g per 100 g.
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — Colour (150c) is declared.
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.
Infants under 1
AvoidContains added sugar, which is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitHigh added sugar content from 'Sugar' and 'Liquid Glucose' is a concern for dental health and promoting healthy eating habits in young children.
Other audiences
LimitContains Caramel Colour (150c), which can generate 4-methylimidazole (IARC Group 2B), a possible human carcinogen. Parents should consider this when choosing products for children.
Specific sensitivities
Avoid if affectedContains 'Barley', 'Wheat', and 'Wheat gluten', which are sources of gluten and unsuitable for those with gluten-related disorders.
Contains 'Milk Solids', which are dairy-derived and can trigger allergic reactions or digestive issues in sensitive individuals.
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 in sugar
Rule F-CAP-07
Flavours not disclosed — the label does not say which substance this is
Rule F-CAP-13
What's good
Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
Contains a blend of cereal extracts, barley, millets, and wheat
Watch out for
High overall sugar content from multiple sources (Sugar, Liquid Glucose)
Contains gluten, which is an allergen for individuals with celiac disease or wheat sensitivity
Contains milk solids, a common allergen
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.
Caramel Colour (Class III & IV) (E150c)
Classes III and IV of caramel colour (INS 150c/150d) are made with ammonia, a process that can generate 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) as a by-product. IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans, and California lists it under Proposition 65 with a warning threshold — though EFSA's own re-evaluation did not reach the same level of concern as IARC's classification. This label does not state the product's 4-MEI concentration, so exposure from this specific product cannot be determined from the ingredient list alone. It is the colour that makes colas and dark sauces brown. Classes I and II are made without ammonia and do not carry this concern.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: IARC Monograph Vol. 101 (4-MEI); California Proposition 65; EFSA re-evaluation of caramel colours (2011)
Caramel Colour (Class III & IV): regulation, sources and other products →Caramel Colour (Class III and IV) (150c)
The ammonia and sulphite-ammonia caramel colours (classes III and IV) can contain 4-methylimidazole, a by-product that the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) on the basis of animal studies. The EU food safety authority sets limits on it in these colours. Plain caramel (class I, E150a) is made without ammonia and is a different substance.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: IARC Monographs Volume 101 (2012), 4-methylimidazole; EFSA Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of caramel colours (E 150a-d), EFSA Journal 2011;9(3):2004
Caramel Colour (Class III and IV): regulation, sources and other products →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 →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 Caramel Colour (150c), an ammonia-process caramel colour that can generate 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), which IARC classifies as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). The concentration of 4-MEI is not stated on the label.
High in added sugars (Sugar, Liquid Glucose), which is a significant concern for children's health, dental hygiene, and overall dietary balance. WHO advises limiting free sugar intake.
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.
This is a brand name and cannot be verified as a claim.
This is a general health benefit claim that cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
This is a marketing claim that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient list or nutrition facts.
This is the maker’s regulatory age/stage designation for the product — an ingredient list can’t confirm or deny it, so it’s classified separately rather than flagged as a doubtful claim.
The specific nutrient this 4% refers to is not specified on the label, making the claim unverifiable.
The nutrition information states 18.8 µg of Vitamin D2 per 100g. For a 20g serving, this is 3.76 µg. The daily value for Vitamin D is 7.5 µg, so 3.76 µg is approximately 50% of the daily value.
The ingredients list 'Cereal Extract 56%*(Barley, Millets, Wheat), Barley, Millets, Wheat' as the primary ingredients, confirming it is cereal-based.
The nutrition information states 381 kcal per 100g. For a 20g serving, this is 76.2 kcal, which rounds to 76 calories.
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 56%Cereal Extract 56%*(Barley, Millets, Wheat)
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Barley within Cereal Extract
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Millets within Cereal Extract
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Wheat within Cereal Extract
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2.
Sugar
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3.
Cocoa Solids
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4.
Maltodextrin
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5.
Colour (150c) synthetic colourAmmonia caramel (INS 150C)
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6.
Minerals
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7.
Wheat Gluten
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8.
Liquid Glucose
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9.
EmulsifiersLecithin (INS 322), Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (INS 471)Emulsifiers (322, 471)
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10.
Milk Solids
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11.
Vitamins
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12.
Raising AgentSodium carbonates (INS 500)Raising Agent (500(ii))
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13.
Flavours undisclosed flavouringFlavours (Natural, Nature Identical and Artificial (Vanilla) Flavouring Substances)
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14.
Iodised Salt
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 | 381 kcal |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrate | 86 g |
| Total Sugars | 46 g |
| Added Sugars | 32.2 g |
| Total Fat | 1.8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.9 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 3.5 g |
| Sodium | 175 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 Cereal Based Beverage Mix?
The label of Cereal Based Beverage Mix lists 17 ingredients, in label order: Cereal Extract, Barley, Millets, Wheat, Sugar, Cocoa Solids, Maltodextrin, Colour (150c), Minerals, Wheat gluten, Liquid Glucose, Emulsifier, Milk Solids, Vitamins, Raising Agents, Flavours, Iodised Salt. Flagged by the analysis: Colour (150c), Liquid Glucose.
Is Cereal Based Beverage Mix safe to eat?
Cereal Based Beverage Mix scores 3.6/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This malt beverage mix, aimed at children, is high in added sugar, which is a concern for children's health and dental hygiene. It also contains Caramel Colour (150c), an ammonia-process colour that can generate 4-methylimidazole, which is classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen.
Why does Cereal Based Beverage Mix score 3.6/10?
Flagged in the score: High overall sugar content from multiple sources (Sugar, Liquid Glucose). Also noted: Contains gluten, which is an allergen for individuals with celiac disease or wheat sensitivity. Contains milk solids, a common allergen.
Who should avoid Cereal Based Beverage Mix?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Limiting added sugar intake for children; Sensitive to undisclosed flavouring compounds; Gluten sensitivity or celiac disease; Milk allergy / lactose intolerance.
Is Cereal Based Beverage Mix suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Cereal Based Beverage Mix contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Milk Solids), soy (the pack’s allergen statement) and gluten (Barley, Wheat and Wheat gluten). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Cereal Based Beverage Mix 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 Cereal Based Beverage Mix contain soy?
Yes — the ingredient list names the pack’s allergen statement. People with soy allergy should treat it as containing soy, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Cereal Based Beverage Mix contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Barley, Wheat 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 Cereal Based Beverage Mix high in sugar?
Yes — 46 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 32.2 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Are the claims on the Cereal Based Beverage Mix pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 8 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Bourn Vita" — can't be verified from the label. "Strength Every Day" — can't be verified from the label. "Scientifically Designed" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Cereal Based Beverage Mix vegetarian?
Cereal Based Beverage Mix 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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