Pack image shown to identify the product. Decode Label is independent of Ching's and is not sponsored or endorsed by it. Trademarks
Brand owned by Tata Consumer Products (India) · about the brand
Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 2.0 ShowHide
Scored as a condiment: nutrition is judged on what a 15 g serving delivers — a typical single use — not on the per-100g figures, which describe a quantity of this product nobody eats. The per-100g panel is still shown in full below.
Reviewed 8 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 soy sauce contains ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d), which is classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen due to its 4-MEI by-product. While the product is a condiment used in small servings, this ingredient is a significant concern. It also contains a high amount of sodium per serving, which is a common issue with sauces and condiments, making it unsuitable for individuals monitoring their sodium intake.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
Contains IARC-classified caramel colour; high sodium.
This soy sauce contains ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d), which is linked to a possible human carcinogen (4-MEI) by IARC. It is also very high in sodium, which is a concern for blood pressure and heart health.
Declared allergens: 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.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for food. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Why the score is capped
Very high sodium per serving
Rule F-CAP-02
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
Watch out for
High sodium content
Soy allergen
Wheat/gluten allergen
Natural Colour — the known concern states this is ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d), which is classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen due to its 4-MEI by-product. This is a significant safety concern.
Preservative — while generally safe, lack of disclosure prevents full assessment.
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 →Decode Label Analysis
Contains ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d), which is classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen due to its 4-MEI by-product.
High sodium content per serving, which can contribute to high blood pressure and other health issues if consumed in excess.
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 term 'Rich' is a subjective descriptor and cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
The term 'Brown' is a subjective descriptor and cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
The term 'Zesty' is a subjective descriptor and cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
The product is explicitly named 'DARK SOY SAUCE' on the packaging.
The product is identified as 'SOYABEAN SAUCE' on the packaging.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
-
1.
Water
-
2.
Sugar
-
3.
Salt
-
4.
Natural ColourNatural Colour (E150c)
-
5.
Soybeans 10%Soybeans (10%)
-
6.
Wheat
-
7.
Acidity RegulatorAcetic acid (INS 260)Acidity Regulator (E260)
-
8.
PreservativeSodium benzoate (INS 211)Preservative (E211)
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 | 7.7 kcal |
| Protein | 0.2 g |
| Carbohydrate | 1.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.2 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 563 mg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), calculated from the declared serving — this label prints per-serving figures only. This is a condiment — used by the pinch or the spoonful, not eaten by the plate — so a red row here means the product is dense in that nutrient, not that a serving of it is. The score judges its nutrition on what a 15 g serving actually delivers.
Compare with other sauces spreads 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.
Side-by-side comparisons
How this product's label compares with others on the same shelf, row by row.
Also on this shelf
More Sauces, Ketchup & Spreads products we've analysed, in name order.
-
american garden AG U.S. Mayonnaise 30oz
See the analysis
-
ching's Ching's Secret Green Chilli Sauce
See the analysis
-
ching's Ching's Secret Red Chilli - Sauce
See the analysis
-
ching's Ching’s Secret Schezwan Chutney
See the analysis
-
Chocoville Chocoville Chocolate Syrup
See the analysis
-
Dabur Dabur Capsico Red Pepper Sauce - 60g (Chilli Sauce)
See the analysis
What are the ingredients in Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce?
The label of Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce lists 8 ingredients, in label order: Water, Sugar, Salt, Natural Colour, Soybeans, Wheat, Acidity Regulator, Preservative. Flagged by the analysis: Natural Colour, Preservative.
Is Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce safe to eat?
Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce scores 2.0/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This soy sauce contains ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d), which is linked to a possible human carcinogen (4-MEI) by IARC. It is also very high in sodium, which is a concern for blood pressure and heart health.
Why does Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce score 2.0/10?
What the analysis notes: High sodium content. Soy allergen. Wheat/gluten allergen.
Who should avoid Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Individuals concerned about carcinogens; High blood pressure; Sodium-restricted diets; Allergies to undisclosed additives; Soy allergy.
Does Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains soy (Soybeans) and gluten (Wheat). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce contain soy?
Yes — the ingredient list names Soybeans. People with soy allergy should treat it as containing soy, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Wheat. People with gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease) should treat it as containing gluten, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
How much sugar is in Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce?
17.1 g of total sugar per 100 g. The label does not declare added sugar separately, so we cannot say how much of it is added.
Is Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce high in salt?
Yes — 8,043 mg of sodium per 100 g (about 20.11 g of salt), above the 1.5 g of salt per 100 g that UK front-of-pack labelling marks as high.
Are the claims on the Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 5 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Rich" — can't be verified from the label. "Brown" — can't be verified from the label. "Zesty" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce vegetarian?
Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce 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.
Reader reviews
How the product performed for people who used it — taste, value, everyday experience. Separate from the Decode Label score above, which rates what is on the label.
Sign in to leave a review.
Sign in →No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.
Help us keep this accurate
Two quick questions about our analysis — not about the product.
Was this analysis helpful?
Tells us whether the breakdown above actually answered your question.
0 of 0 readers found this analysis helpful
Does your pack match this page?
Recipes change and packs get reformulated. If the ingredients or the panel on the pack in your hand differ from what we show, tell us and we will check it.
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.
Report Error
If you believe this score is inaccurate, provide details below. Our team reviews every report and will update the rating if warranted.
Report submitted
Our team will review your report and update the rating if the evidence warrants it. Thank you for helping keep our data accurate.
Share this product
Ching’s Secret Dark Soy Sauce
Link copied — paste it in your Instagram bio or Story!