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Brand owned by Tata Consumer Products (India) · about the brand
Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.5 ShowHide
Reviewed 3 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This soup mix is a convenient option, but consumers should be aware of its highly processed nature and the presence of an IARC Group 2B possible carcinogen (ammonia caramel colour). While the vegetable content is a positive, the overall formulation is high in sugar and sodium, making it less suitable for regular consumption, especially for young children or individuals managing blood pressure or blood sugar levels. The use of a generic 'Flavour Enhancer' and 'Natural Colour' without specific INS codes also limits transparency.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Carrot
- Cabbage
- Mushroom
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Onion powder
Highly processed soup mix with IARC 2B classified additive and high sugar/sodium
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This instant soup mix contains a significant amount of dehydrated vegetables, but it is also highly processed with high levels of sugar and sodium. It includes ammonia caramel colour, which is classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen. The product also uses generic 'Flavour Enhancer' and 'Natural Colour' without specific identification, which reduces transparency for consumers.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — Flavour Enhancer is declared.
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.
Saturated fat 0.2 g · trans fat 0 g per 100 g/ml
1 concern could not be assessed from this label. That means we don't know — not that there's nothing to find.
Infants under 1
AvoidContains added sugar, which is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitThis product is high in added sugar and sodium, which can be detrimental to young children's developing palates and health. Limit consumption.
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
Contains 20% dehydrated vegetables, contributing to fiber and nutrient intake.
Includes a variety of natural spices and vegetables for flavor.
Watch out for
High in added sugar and sodium, which can be a concern for overall dietary health.
Contains common allergens: Soy (from Soybean and Soy Sauce Powder) and Wheat (from Soy Sauce Powder).
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.
Disodium Ribonucleotides (E635)
E635 is a mixture of disodium inosinate (E631) and disodium guanylate (E627). Both are purine nucleotides, which the body breaks down to uric acid. People with gout or hyperuricaemia, or who have been advised to limit purines, may wish to limit foods containing it. The amounts used in foods are small, so the concern applies to people already managing uric acid rather than to the general population.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA; WHO; Arthritis Foundation
Disodium Ribonucleotides: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains 'Natural Colour' which, based on common usage and database information, may include ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d). The 4-MEI by-product of ammonia caramel colour is classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic to humans) when ingested.
The generic 'Flavour Enhancer' may include Disodium Ribonucleotides, which are purine-containing compounds that can trigger gout in susceptible individuals.
The product is highly processed (NOVA-4) due to multiple additives and refined ingredients like dried glucose syrup.
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 subjective preference claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts.
This describes the flavor profile and product type, which cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
The preparation time is a functional claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts.
The ingredient list includes dehydrated vegetables such as carrot, cabbage, and mushroom.
The ingredient list does not contain any ingredients commonly identified as preservatives (e.g., INS 200-299).
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.
Corn Flour
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2.
Dehydrated Vegetables 20%Dehydrated Vegetables (20%)
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Carrot within Dehydrated Vegetables
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Cabbage within Dehydrated Vegetables
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Mushroom within Dehydrated Vegetables
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3.
Iodised Salt
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4.
Sugar
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5.
Dried Glucose Syrup
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6.
Dehydrated Garlic
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7.
Flavour EnhancerFlavour Enhancer (INS 635)
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8.
Onion Powder
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9.
Natural ColourNatural Colour (INS 150d)
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10.
Chilli Powder
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11.
Acidity RegulatorAcidity Regulator (INS 260)
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12.
Soy Sauce PowderSoy Sauce Powder (Soybean, Wheat, Salt)
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Soybean within Soy Sauce Powder
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Wheat within Soy Sauce Powder
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Salt within Soy Sauce Powder
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13.
ThickenerThickener (INS 415)
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14.
Pepper Powder
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15.
Sunflower Oil
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16.
Anticaking AgentAnticaking Agent (INS 551)
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
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 303 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 70 g |
| Total Sugars | 21.7 g |
| Added Sugars | 13.6 g |
| Total Fat | 0.6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 6,934 mg |
| Protein | 303 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
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What are the ingredients in Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup?
The label of Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup lists 22 ingredients, in label order: Corn flour, Dehydrated Vegetables, Carrot, Cabbage, Mushroom, Iodised Salt, Sugar, Dried Glucose Syrup, Dehydrated Garlic, Flavour Enhancer, Onion powder, Natural Colour, Chilli Powder, Acidity Regulator, Soy Sauce Powder, Soybean, Wheat, Salt, Thickener, Pepper Powder, Sunflower oil, Anticaking Agent. Flagged by the analysis: Natural Colour, Flavour Enhancer.
Is Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup safe to eat?
Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup scores 1.5/10 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 instant soup mix contains a significant amount of dehydrated vegetables, but it is also highly processed with high levels of sugar and sodium. It includes ammonia caramel colour, which is classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen. The product also uses generic 'Flavour Enhancer' and 'Natural Colour' without specific identification, which reduces transparency for consumers.
Why does Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup score 1.5/10?
What the analysis notes: High in added sugar and sodium, which can be a concern for overall dietary health. Contains common allergens: Soy (from Soybean and Soy Sauce Powder) and Wheat (from Soy Sauce Powder).
Who should avoid Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Individuals concerned about carcinogens; People with gout (due to Disodium Ribonucleotides); Individuals managing blood pressure; Individuals managing blood sugar; Young children (due to high sugar/sodium).
Is Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains soy (Soy Sauce Powder and Soybean) and gluten (Wheat). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup contain soy?
Yes — the ingredient list names Soy Sauce Powder and Soybean. People with soy allergy should treat it as containing soy, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup 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 Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup?
21.7 g of total sugar per 100 g. The label declares 13.6 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Is Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup high in salt?
Yes — 6,934 mg of sodium per 100 g (about 17.34 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 Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 5 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "I Love Desi Chinese" — can't be verified from the label. "Hot & Sour Soup" — can't be verified from the label. "Ready in 5 Minutes" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup vegetarian?
Ching's Hot and Sour Cook Up Soup 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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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.
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