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Chocolate Delight
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 3.2 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This malt beverage, marketed for children, contains a significant amount of added sugar and an IARC-classified caramel colour. While it provides some cereal and protein, the high sugar content and the presence of ammonia caramel (INS 150c), which may contain 4-MEI (classified by IARC as Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans), are notable concerns for its target audience.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Malted Barley
- Barley
- Wheat Malt
- Wheat
- Cocoa powder
- +3 more →
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 drink, aimed at children, has a high sugar content, which is a primary nutritional concern for young users. It also contains ammonia caramel (INS 150c), a colour additive that can generate 4-MEI, a substance classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. While the product offers some cereal and protein, these concerns are important for parents to consider.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 36 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.
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 is a significant concern for this age group, contributing to dental issues and potentially unhealthy dietary patterns.
Other audiences
LimitContains ammonia caramel (INS 150c), which can generate 4-MEI, classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans).
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
What's good
Provides a blend of cereal extracts (Malted Barley, Barley, Wheat Malt, Wheat) as a base.
Fortified with essential Minerals and Vitamins.
Contains Soy Protein Isolate, contributing to protein content.
Watch out for
High content of added sugars (Sugar, Liquid Glucose) is a primary nutritional concern, particularly for children.
Contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which is associated with 4-MEI, classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Contains Nature identical flavouring substances, whose specific compounds are not disclosed.
Contains common allergens such as Wheat, Wheat Gluten, Milk Solids, and Soy Protein Isolate.
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 Natural Colour (INS 150c), ammonia caramel, which can generate 4-MEI during manufacture. IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans).
High in added sugars (Sugar, Liquid Glucose), which is a significant nutritional concern, especially for children.
Contains Wheat and Wheat Gluten, which are common allergens and unsuitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
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 'Tall' is a general benefit that cannot be verified or disproven from the provided ingredient list or nutrition facts.
The claim 'Strong' is a general benefit that cannot be verified or disproven from the provided ingredient list or nutrition facts.
The claim 'Sharp' is a general benefit that cannot be verified or disproven from the provided ingredient list or nutrition facts.
Cocoa powder is listed as an ingredient, supporting the 'Chocolate' aspect of the product name.
The nutrition information lists various vitamins and minerals, confirming the presence of essential nutrients.
The nutrition information states 7g of protein per 100g, which is consistent with the claim.
The nutrition information states 741mg of calcium per 100g, which is consistent with the claim.
The nutrition information states 26mg of iron per 100g, which is consistent with the claim.
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 44%Cereal Extract (44%)
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Malted Barley 13% within Cereal ExtractMalted Barley (13%)
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Barley 11% within Cereal ExtractBarley (11%)
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Wheat Malt 11% within Cereal ExtractWheat Malt (11%)
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Wheat 9% within Cereal ExtractWheat (9%)
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2.
Sugar
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3.
Cocoa Powder 6%Cocoa Powder (6%)
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4.
Wheat Gluten
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5.
Minerals
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6.
Milk Solids 2% trace amountMilk Solids (2%)
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7.
Soy Protein Isolate
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8.
EmulsifierMono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (INS 471)Emulsifier (INS 471)
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9.
Liquid Glucose
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10.
Natural ColourNatural Colour (INS 150c)
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11.
Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
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12.
Acidity RegulatorsPotassium carbonates (INS 501), Sodium carbonates (INS 500)Acidity Regulators [INS 501 (ii), INS 500 (ii)]
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13.
Vitamins
-
14.
Edible Iodized Salt
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
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 | 360 kcal |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrate | 81 g |
| Total Sugars | 46 g |
| Added Sugars | 36 g |
| Total Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 5 g |
| Sodium | 350 mg |
| Cholesterol | 5 mg |
| Calcium | 741 mg |
| Magnesium | 65 mg |
| Vitamin D | 9.3 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 190 mg |
| Potassium | 300 mg |
| Vitamin B9 | 340 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.9 mcg |
| Iron | 26 mg |
| Iodine | 139 mcg |
| Zinc | 8.3 mg |
| Vitamin A | 741 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin C | 140 mg |
| Copper | 0.65 mg |
| Selenium | 74 mcg |
| Vitamin B1 | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 3 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 17 mg |
| Vitamin B5 | 1.4 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 3.7 mg |
| Vitamin B7 | 9 mcg |
| Chloride | 180 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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Horlicks Horlicks Classic Malt
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What are the ingredients in Chocolate Delight?
The label of Chocolate Delight lists 18 ingredients, in label order: Cereal Extract, Malted Barley, Barley, Wheat Malt, Wheat, Sugar, Cocoa powder, Wheat gluten, Minerals, Milk Solids, Soy protein isolate, Emulsifier, Liquid Glucose, Natural Colour, Nature identical flavouring substances, Acidity Regulator, Vitamins, Edible Iodised Salt. Flagged by the analysis: Natural Colour, Nature identical flavouring substances, Liquid Glucose.
Is Chocolate Delight safe to eat?
Chocolate Delight scores 3.2/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This malt drink, aimed at children, has a high sugar content, which is a primary nutritional concern for young users. It also contains ammonia caramel (INS 150c), a colour additive that can generate 4-MEI, a substance classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. While the product offers some cereal and protein, these concerns are important for parents to consider.
Why does Chocolate Delight score 3.2/10?
Flagged in the score: High content of added sugars (Sugar, Liquid Glucose) is a primary nutritional concern, particularly for children. Contains Nature identical flavouring substances, whose specific compounds are not disclosed. Also noted: Contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which is associated with 4-MEI, classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Who should avoid Chocolate Delight?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding high added sugar intake; Sensitive to food additives; Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Gluten sensitivity or celiac disease; Milk allergy / lactose intolerance.
Is Chocolate Delight suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Chocolate Delight contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Milk Solids), soy (Soy protein isolate) and gluten (Malted Barley, Barley, Wheat Malt and Wheat). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Chocolate Delight 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 Chocolate Delight 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 Chocolate Delight contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Malted Barley, Barley, Wheat Malt and Wheat. People with gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease) should treat it as containing gluten, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Is Chocolate Delight 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 36 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Are the claims on the Chocolate Delight pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 8 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Tall" — can't be verified from the label. "Strong" — can't be verified from the label. "Sharp" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Chocolate Delight vegetarian?
Chocolate Delight 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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