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Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 3.6 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 health malt drink, marketed for children, contains a significant amount of cereal extracts and milk solids, providing a base of carbohydrates and protein. However, the presence of acesulfame potassium (INS 950), an artificial sweetener, raises concerns regarding long-term effects of regular use, especially for a product aimed at children. While the product provides vitamins and minerals, the use of nature identical flavouring substances means the specific flavour compounds are not fully disclosed.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Minerals
- Vitamins
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.
Personal check · free
Is this right for you or your family?
Just checking whether the product is safe? The analysis above is yours, no account needed. To know if it is safe for you, your father or your child, add a profile and we check this label against them. This one declares Milk, Soy and Gluten, so it matters if anyone in your family reacts to that.
- Allergies. Peanut, milk, gluten, egg and more, checked against the ingredient list.
- Diet. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain, no egg, no dairy.
- Health and goals. Sugar, salt, protein, steady blood sugar, heart-friendly, weight.
- Everyone you buy for. Save a profile for Papa or the kids and switch in one tap.
Contains artificial sweetener and undisclosed flavourings for children
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, designed for children, includes an artificial sweetener, acesulfame potassium (INS 950), whose long-term effects are not fully settled. It also uses nature identical flavouring substances, meaning the specific flavour compounds are not transparently listed. While fortified with vitamins and minerals, these aspects are important for parents to consider for a child's regular consumption.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 0 g and total sugar is 45 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.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitContains acesulfame potassium (INS 950), an artificial sweetener. While approved for use, some health organizations advise caution regarding regular consumption of artificial sweeteners by young children due to unsettled long-term effects.
Why the score is capped
Highly processed (NOVA) and high total sugar
Rule F-CAP-07
Highly processed (NOVA); contains artificial sweeteners
Rule F-CAP-09
Flavours not disclosed — the label does not say which substance this is
Rule F-CAP-13
What's good
Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
Contains protein from milk solids and soy protein isolate
Watch out for
Contains acesulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener with unsettled long-term effects for children
Flavouring substances are not fully disclosed, which may be a concern for those with sensitivities
Contains common allergens: milk, wheat, barley, soy, and gluten
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.
Acesulfame Potassium (E950)
Acesulfame K is an approved intense sweetener. Regulators set an acceptable daily intake and consider it safe within it, but the WHO (2023) advises against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight because there is no long-term benefit and possible long-term harms, and long-term research on gut and metabolic effects is still developing.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: WHO guideline on non-sugar sweeteners (2023); EFSA/JECFA acceptable daily intake
Acesulfame Potassium: 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 Acesulfame Potassium (INS 950), an intense artificial sweetener. The long-term effects of regular use, particularly in children, are not fully settled.
The product contains 'Nature identical flavouring substances' and 'Natural Flavours', meaning the specific flavour compounds are not fully disclosed on the label.
Contains Wheat and Barley, which include gluten. Not suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Claim check
1 claim not supported by label dataFront-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.
Protein provides only 14.2% of energy — enough for a “source of protein” (10%) but below the 20% a “high protein” claim requires. (Judged on % of energy, not % by weight.)
The term "Lite" is a marketing descriptor that implies reduced calories or fat, but the label does not provide comparative nutritional information to substantiate this claim.
This is a general health benefit claim that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition list alone, as it requires scientific studies or specific certifications not present on the label.
The ingredients list "Nature Identical Flavouring Substances" and "Natural Flavour", which can include badam (almond) flavour.
The label declares 0 g added sugar; the 45 g of sugar shown is naturally occurring from grains and milk. The "no added sugar" claim is supported by the label.
The nutrition information lists several vitamins and minerals known for their antioxidant properties, including Vitamin A, C, E, Selenium, Zinc, and Copper.
The nutrition information explicitly states 0 mg of cholesterol per 100g.
The primary ingredient is Cereal Extract (65%), which includes Barley and Wheat, confirming it is a cereal-based beverage.
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 65%Cereal Extract (65%)
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Barley 37% within Cereal ExtractBarley (37%)
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Wheat 15% within Cereal ExtractWheat (15%)
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Malted Barley 12% within Cereal ExtractMalted Barley (12%)
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Wheat Malt 1% within Cereal Extract trace amountWheat Malt (1%)
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2.
Milk Solids 17%Milk Solids (17%)
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3.
Corn Solids (Hydrolyzed)
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4.
Minerals
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5.
Soy Protein Isolate
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6.
Wheat Gluten
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7.
Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
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8.
Vitamins
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9.
Edible Iodized Salt
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10.
Non-Caloric Sweetener [INS 950]
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11.
Natural Flavour
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 | 367 kcal |
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrate | 74 g |
| Total Sugars | 45 g |
| Added Sugars | 0 g |
| Total Fat | 2.1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.3 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Vitamin A | 800 mcg |
| B1 | 1.2 mg |
| B2 | 1.3 mg |
| B3 | 16 mg |
| B5 | 5 mg |
| B6 | 2.6 mg |
| B7 | 30 mcg |
| B9 | 240 mcg |
| B12 | 2 mcg |
| C | 80 mg |
| D | 5 mcg |
| E | 10 mg |
| Calcium | 800 mg |
| Copper | 1.8 mg |
| Iodine | 150 mcg |
| Iron | 27.4 mg |
| Magnesium | 88.4 mg |
| Potassium | 419 mg |
| Selenium | 34 mcg |
| Zinc | 4.2 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.
Also on this shelf
More Health & Malt Drink (Bournvita, Horlicks) products we've analysed, in name order.
-
Dabur Glucose-D Instant Energy Refreshing Classic
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-
Horlicks Horlicks Classic Malt
See the analysis
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Glucon-D Instant Energy Regular
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-
Horlicks Lite Regular Malt Flavour
See the analysis
-
Boost Malt Based Food
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Nestle MILO Nestle MILO PRO Nourishing Energy Drink
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What are the ingredients in Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour?
The label of Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour lists 15 ingredients, in label order: Cereal Extract, Barley, Wheat, Malted Barley, Wheat Malt, Milk Solids, Corn Solids (Hydrolyzed), Minerals, Soy protein isolate, Wheat gluten, Nature identical flavouring substances, Vitamins, Edible Iodised Salt, Non-Caloric Sweetener [INS 950], Natural Flavours. Flagged by the analysis: Non-Caloric Sweetener [INS 950], Nature identical flavouring substances.
Is Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour safe to eat?
Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour scores 3.6/10 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, designed for children, includes an artificial sweetener, acesulfame potassium (INS 950), whose long-term effects are not fully settled. It also uses nature identical flavouring substances, meaning the specific flavour compounds are not transparently listed. While fortified with vitamins and minerals, these aspects are important for parents to consider for a child's regular consumption.
Why does Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour score 3.6/10?
What the analysis notes: Contains acesulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener with unsettled long-term effects for children. Flavouring substances are not fully disclosed, which may be a concern for those with sensitivities. Contains common allergens: milk, wheat, barley, soy, and gluten.
Who should avoid Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding artificial sweeteners; Sensitive to undisclosed flavouring compounds; Children with specific dietary sensitivities; Milk allergy / lactose intolerance; Soy allergy.
Is Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour suitable for babies or young children?
Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Milk Solids), soy (Soy protein isolate) and gluten (Barley, Wheat, Malted Barley and Wheat Malt). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Lite Horlicks Badam 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 Lite Horlicks Badam 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 Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Barley, Wheat, Malted Barley and Wheat Malt. People with gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease) should treat it as containing gluten, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Is Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour high in sugar?
Yes — 45 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 Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 8 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "High Protein" — misleading. "Lite" — can't be verified from the label. "Nutrients known to protect from oxidative stress damage" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Lite Horlicks Badam Flavour vegetarian?
Lite Horlicks Badam 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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