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Brand owned by DS Group (India) · about the brand
Spring Cola From The Himalayas
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 3.3 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This carbonated beverage contains added sugars, primarily from invert sugar syrup and apple juice, contributing to a high sugar load. A key concern is the presence of Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (INS 150d), an ammonia-process caramel colour. This type of caramel colour can generate 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) during its manufacture, which is classified by IARC as Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'. While the label does not state the concentration of 4-MEI, its presence warrants caution, particularly for individuals seeking to avoid IARC-classified substances. The product also contains caffeine, which requires careful consideration for children and pregnant individuals due to its stimulant effects.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
High added sugar; contains IARC-classified caramel colour and caffeine
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This carbonated drink contains significant added sugars from invert sugar syrup and apple juice. It also includes Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (INS 150d), a colour that can produce 4-MEI, which is classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen. The presence of caffeine means it should be consumed with caution by children and pregnant individuals. While suitable for healthy adults in moderation, those concerned about specific food additives or caffeine intake should be aware.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — Permitted Natural Colour (150d) is declared.
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- Diet. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain, no egg, no dairy.
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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)
LimitContains caffeine, a stimulant. Caffeine intake should be limited for children, with a recommended maximum of 3 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Other audiences
LimitContains caffeine. It is recommended to limit caffeine intake to 200 mg per day during pregnancy.
High in added sugars, which should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
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
Watch out for
High added sugar content
Presence of caffeine
Contains ammonia-process caramel colour (INS 150d)
Acidity Regulator (INS 338) — acidity regulators (typically citric acid INS 330 or sodium/potassium citrate INS 331/332) adjust and buffer pH. They are among the most benign, extensively-studied food additives — citric acid occurs naturally in citrus fruit — and are FSSAI/EFSA-approved as safe. Noted only as a low-level, transparency point because the label gives the additive class/code rather than the name.
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 →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 →Caffeine
The EU food safety authority found that up to 400 mg of caffeine a day (about 3 mg per kg of body weight a day in children and adolescents) does not raise safety concerns, and that pregnant and breastfeeding women should stay at or below 200 mg a day. Caffeine added to a drink or supplement counts toward that total alongside coffee and tea. Energy drinks and fat-burner stacks are judged by their own caps; this record explains the substance.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine, EFSA Journal 2015;13(5):4102
Caffeine: 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 →Decode Label Analysis
Contains Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (INS 150d), an ammonia-process caramel colour. This type of caramel colour can generate 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), which is classified by IARC as Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'. The concentration of 4-MEI is not stated on the label.
Contains caffeine, a stimulant. WHO advises adult caffeine intake limits of about 400 mg/day, 200 mg in pregnancy, and 3 mg per kg for children.
Contains added sugars from Invert Sugar Syrup and Apple Juice. WHO advises keeping free sugar intake under 10% of total energy, ideally under 5%.
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 'From The Himalayas' refers to the sourcing of ingredients or origin of the product, which cannot be verified from the provided ingredient list or nutrition information.
The product is named Spring Cola, which is consistent with the product type.
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.
Carbonated WaterCARBONATED WATER
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2.
Invert Sugar SyrupINVERT SUGAR SYRUP
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3.
Apple Juice 5%APPLE JUICE (5%)
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4.
Acidity Regulator (INS 338)ACIDITY REGULATOR (INS 338)
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5.
CaffeineCAFFEINE
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6.
Permitted Natural Colour (150d) synthetic colourSulphite ammonia caramel (INS 150D)PERMITTED NATURAL COLOUR (150d)
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7.
Added Flavours (Natural Flavouring Substances)ADDED FLAVOURS (NATURAL FLAVOURING SUBSTANCES)
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
✓ 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 | 44 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrate | 11 g |
| Total Sugars | 10.5 g |
| Added Sugars | 10.2 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
Compare with other soft 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 Soft Drink & Soda products we've analysed, in name order.
What are the ingredients in Spring Cola From The Himalayas?
The label of Spring Cola From The Himalayas lists 7 ingredients, in label order: Carbonated Water, Invert Sugar Syrup, Apple Juice, Acidity Regulator (INS 338), Caffeine, Permitted Natural Colour (150d), Added Flavour (Natural Flavouring Substances). Flagged by the analysis: Permitted Natural Colour (150d), Caffeine, Added Flavour (Natural Flavouring Substances), Apple Juice, Acidity Regulator (INS 338).
Is Spring Cola From The Himalayas safe to eat?
Spring Cola From The Himalayas scores 3.3/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This carbonated drink contains significant added sugars from invert sugar syrup and apple juice. It also includes Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (INS 150d), a colour that can produce 4-MEI, which is classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen. The presence of caffeine means it should be consumed with caution by children and pregnant individuals. While suitable for healthy adults in moderation, those concerned about specific food additives or caffeine intake should be aware.
Why does Spring Cola From The Himalayas score 3.3/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of caffeine. Also noted: High added sugar content. Contains ammonia-process caramel colour (INS 150d).
Who should avoid Spring Cola From The Himalayas?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Sensitive to caffeine; Pregnant or breastfeeding; Children and young children.
Is Spring Cola From The Himalayas suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
How much sugar is in Spring Cola From The Himalayas?
10.5 g of total sugar per 100 ml. The label declares 10.2 g of that as added sugar per 100 ml.
Does Spring Cola From The Himalayas contain caffeine?
Yes — the ingredient list names Caffeine, a source of caffeine. Check the pack for the amount per serving, especially when buying for children or during pregnancy.
Are the claims on the Spring Cola From The Himalayas pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 2 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "From The Himalayas" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Spring Cola From The Himalayas vegetarian?
Spring Cola From The Himalayas is marked vegetarian, and contains no animal-derived ingredients.
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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