Pack image shown to identify the product. Decode Label is independent of Horlicks and is not sponsored or endorsed by it. Trademarks
Horlicks Classic Malt
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 2.1 ShowHide
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 multi-cereal mix is primarily composed of wheat flour, malted barley, and a 'Superfood Blend', with milk solids also forming a significant portion. While it provides some essential minerals and vitamins, the presence of 'Natural Flavours' and 'Natural flavouring substance' without specific disclosure of their compounds raises transparency concerns for those who prefer to know all ingredients. The product also contains acidity regulators, which are common food additives. Given its target audience of children, the overall nutritional profile, particularly regarding added sugars and sodium (though not explicitly high in this list), should be considered in the context of a balanced diet.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Millet
- Almonds Powder
- Minerals & Vitamins
Declared allergens: Tree nuts, Milk, Soy and Gluten
People with these allergies should avoid it and check the pack’s own allergen statement.
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.
Multi-cereal mix with undisclosed natural flavours and common additives
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This multi-cereal mix is made mostly from wheat flour, malted barley, and a 'Superfood Blend', with a notable amount of milk solids. While it includes added vitamins and minerals, the specific compounds used for 'Natural Flavours' and 'Natural flavouring substance' are not detailed, which may be a concern for those with sensitivities or who prefer full ingredient transparency. It also contains common acidity regulators.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 0 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.
Specific sensitivities
Avoid if affectedContains common allergens including wheat (gluten), milk, soy, and almonds. Parents should check for known allergies before consumption.
Why the score is capped
Highly processed (NOVA) and high total sugar
Rule F-CAP-07
Flavours, acidity regulator, flavouring not disclosed — 3 additive classes are named without saying which substances they are
Rule F-CAP-13
What's good
Contains a blend of cereals and millet
Fortified with essential minerals and vitamins
Watch out for
Undisclosed 'Natural Flavours' and 'Natural flavouring substance' limit transparency
Contains common allergens: wheat (gluten), milk, soy, and almonds
Acidity regulator listed without specific identification
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.
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
Flavouring Substances: A flavour blend; its individual compounds are not listed on the label.
Wheat Flour: Contains gluten — not suitable for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (Declarable allergen — FSSAI Labelling & Display Regulations 2020).
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 label does not provide information or studies to substantiate the 'clinically proven' claim.
The label does not provide information or studies to substantiate the 'taller' claim.
The label does not provide information or studies to substantiate the 'stronger' claim.
The label does not provide information or studies to substantiate the 'sharper' claim.
The term 'super foods' is a marketing term and not a regulated claim that can be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition panel.
The label declares 0 g added sugar; the 32 g of sugar shown is naturally occurring from grains and milk. The "no added sugar" claim is supported by the label.
Malted Barley is listed as an ingredient.
The nutrition information states 11g of protein per 100g.
Almonds Powder, Oat Powder, and Millet are all listed as ingredients.
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.
Multi Cereal Mix
-
Wheat Flour (Atta) 26% within Multi Cereal Mix
-
Cereal Derivatives within Multi Cereal Mix
-
Barley Wheat within Multi Cereal Mix
-
2.
Superfood Blend 30%Superfood Blend (30%)
-
Malted Barley 24% within Superfood Blend
-
Millet 4% within Superfood Blend
-
Oat Powder 1% within Superfood Blend trace amount
-
Almonds Powder within Superfood BlendAlmonds Powder†
-
3.
Milk Solids 14%Milk Solids (14%)
-
4.
Minerals & Vitamins
-
5.
Edible Iodised Salt
-
6.
Natural Flavours
-
7.
Soy Protein Isolate
-
8.
Acidity Regulators
-
Potassium Bicarbonate within Acidity Regulators
-
Sodium Bicarbonate within Acidity Regulators
-
9.
Natural Flavouring Substance
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 | 358 kcal |
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrate | 77 g |
| Total Sugars | 32 g |
| Added Sugars | 0 g |
| Total Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 6.1 g |
| Sodium | 175 mg |
| Cholesterol | 5 mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 1.65 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 3 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 17 mg |
| Vitamin B5 | 6.4 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 3.55 mg |
| Vitamin B7 | 45 mcg |
| Chloride | 565 mg |
| Folic acid | 250 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 4 mcg |
| Iron | 26 mg |
| Iodine | 139 mcg |
| Zinc | 14.8 mg |
| Vitamin D | 27.5 mcg |
| Calcium | 741 mg |
| Magnesium | 65 mg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Vitamin A | 940 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 10 mg |
| Vitamin C | 107 mg |
| Copper | 0.65 mg |
| Selenium | 68 mcg |
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.
Also on this shelf
More Health & Malt Drink (Bournvita, Horlicks) products we've analysed, in name order.
-
Horlicks Chocolate Delight
See the analysis
-
Horlicks Chocolate Delight Flavour
See the analysis
-
Complan Complan 100% Milk Protein
See the analysis
-
Boost Malt Based Food
See the analysis
-
Nestle MILO Nestle MILO PRO Nourishing Energy Drink
See the analysis
-
Complan Royale Chocolate flavour
See the analysis
What are the ingredients in Horlicks Classic Malt?
The label of Horlicks Classic Malt lists 18 ingredients, in label order: Multi Cereal Mix, Wheat flour (Atta), Cereal Derivatives, Barley Wheat, Superfood Blend, Malted Barley, Millet, Oat Powder, Almonds Powder, Milk Solids, Minerals & Vitamins, Edible Iodised Salt, Natural Flavours, Soy protein isolate, Acidity Regulator, Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Natural flavouring substance. Flagged by the analysis: Natural flavouring substance.
Is Horlicks Classic Malt safe to eat?
Horlicks Classic Malt scores 2.1/10 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 multi-cereal mix is made mostly from wheat flour, malted barley, and a 'Superfood Blend', with a notable amount of milk solids. While it includes added vitamins and minerals, the specific compounds used for 'Natural Flavours' and 'Natural flavouring substance' are not detailed, which may be a concern for those with sensitivities or who prefer full ingredient transparency. It also contains common acidity regulators.
Why does Horlicks Classic Malt score 2.1/10?
Flagged in the score: Undisclosed 'Natural Flavours' and 'Natural flavouring substance' limit transparency. Also noted: Contains common allergens: wheat (gluten), milk, soy, and almonds. Acidity regulator listed without specific identification.
Who should avoid Horlicks Classic Malt?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding undisclosed flavouring substances; Gluten sensitivity or celiac disease; Milk allergy; Soy allergy; Tree-nut allergy.
Does Horlicks Classic Malt contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains tree nuts (Almonds Powder), milk (Milk Solids), soy (Soy protein isolate) and gluten (Wheat flour (Atta), Barley Wheat and Malted Barley). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Horlicks Classic Malt contain tree nuts?
Yes — the ingredient list names Almonds Powder. People with tree-nut allergy should treat it as containing tree nuts, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Horlicks Classic Malt 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 Horlicks Classic Malt 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 Horlicks Classic Malt contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Wheat flour (Atta), Barley Wheat and Malted Barley. People with gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease) should treat it as containing gluten, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Is Horlicks Classic Malt high in sugar?
Yes — 32 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 0 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Are the claims on the Horlicks Classic Malt pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 9 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "CLINICALLY PROVEN" — can't be verified from the label. "TALLER" — can't be verified from the label. "STRONGER" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Horlicks Classic Malt vegetarian?
Horlicks Classic Malt 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.
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
Horlicks Classic Malt
Link copied — paste it in your Instagram bio or Story!