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Chocolate Delight Flavour
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.5 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 ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c) which is associated with a possible carcinogen. While it provides some cereal and protein, the high sugar content and the presence of the IARC 2B classified caramel colour are primary concerns for its intended young 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
- +2 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
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This malt drink, aimed at children, contains a notable amount of added sugar, which is a concern for regular consumption by young children. It also includes ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which can generate 4-MEI, a substance classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). The label does not specify the concentration of 4-MEI. The product also contains common allergens like wheat, barley, milk, and soy.
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.
2 concerns could not be assessed from this label. That means we don't know — not that there's nothing to find.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitThis product contains high levels of added sugar. Regular consumption of high-sugar beverages can contribute to dental caries and an unbalanced diet in young children.
Other audiences
LimitContains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which can generate 4-MEI, classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). Parents should consider this when choosing products for children.
Specific sensitivities
Avoid if affectedContains wheat, malted barley, barley, and wheat malt, all of which are sources of gluten and unsuitable for children with gluten-related disorders.
Contains milk solids and soy protein isolate, which are common allergens and should be avoided by children with these specific allergies.
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
What's good
Provides cereal extracts as a primary ingredient
Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
Contains cocoa powder for flavour and antioxidants
Watch out for
High content of added sugars (Sugar, Liquid Glucose) which is a concern for children's health
Contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), associated with a possible carcinogen (4-MEI)
Presence of common allergens: wheat, barley (gluten), milk solids, and soy protein isolate
Nature identical flavouring substances are not fully disclosed, limiting transparency for specific sensitivities
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), an ammonia caramel colour. This additive can generate 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) during its manufacture, which is classified by IARC as Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'. The concentration of 4-MEI in this product is not stated on the label.
High levels of added sugar (Sugar, Liquid Glucose) are present, which is a significant concern for children's health, contributing to dental caries and potentially impacting overall dietary balance.
The product contains wheat and barley, which are sources of gluten. This makes it unsuitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Contains milk solids and soy protein isolate, which are common allergens. Individuals with milk or soy allergies should avoid this product.
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 from the provided ingredient or nutrition information.
The claim 'STRONG' is a general benefit that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition information.
The claim 'SHARP' is a general benefit that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition information.
The nutrition information does not provide protein content per serving or per 100g to verify the '7g' claim.
The nutrition information does not provide calcium content per serving or per 100g to verify the '741mg' claim.
The nutrition information lists various vitamins and minerals, which are essential nutrients.
The ingredients list malted barley and wheat malt, indicating it is a malt-based food.
The nutrition information states 26 mg of Iron per serving.
The ingredients list cocoa powder and nature identical flavouring substances, which support a chocolate flavour.
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 Colour synthetic colourAmmonia caramel (INS 150C)Natural Colour (INS 150c)
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11.
Nature Identical Flavouring Substances undisclosed flavouring
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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
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14.
Edible Iodized SaltEdible 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 |
| Carbohydrate | 81 g |
| Total Sugars | 46 g |
| Added Sugars | 35 g |
| Total Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 5 g |
| Sodium | 350 mg |
| Cholesterol | 5 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), calculated from the declared serving — this label prints per-serving figures only.
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.
Also on this shelf
More Health & Malt Drink (Bournvita, Horlicks) products we've analysed, in name order.
-
Bournvita Bournvita 5 Star Magic Nutrition Drink
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Bournvita Cereal Based Beverage Mix
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-
Horlicks Chocolate Delight
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-
Complan Complan 100% Milk Protein
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-
Horlicks Horlicks Classic Malt
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-
Boost Malt Based Food
See the analysis
What are the ingredients in Chocolate Delight Flavour?
The label of Chocolate Delight Flavour 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, Liquid Glucose, Nature identical flavouring substances.
Is Chocolate Delight Flavour safe to eat?
Chocolate Delight Flavour 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 malt drink, aimed at children, contains a notable amount of added sugar, which is a concern for regular consumption by young children. It also includes ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which can generate 4-MEI, a substance classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). The label does not specify the concentration of 4-MEI. The product also contains common allergens like wheat, barley, milk, and soy.
Why does Chocolate Delight Flavour score 1.5/10?
Flagged in the score: High content of added sugars (Sugar, Liquid Glucose) which is a concern for children's health. Also noted: Contains ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), associated with a possible carcinogen (4-MEI). Presence of common allergens: wheat, barley (gluten), milk solids, and soy protein isolate.
Who should avoid Chocolate Delight Flavour?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Managing sugar intake for children; Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity; Milk or soy allergy.
Is Chocolate Delight Flavour suitable for babies or young children?
Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Chocolate Delight Flavour 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 Flavour 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 Flavour 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 Flavour 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.
Are the claims on the Chocolate Delight Flavour pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 9 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 Flavour vegetarian?
Chocolate Delight Flavour 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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