Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour by Horlicks — product pack

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Horlicks

Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour

Veg Jain beverage
3.6 Concerning

Decode Label Safety Score

Nutrition · 40% 2.1/10
Ingredient safety · 30% 9.6/10
Processing · 20% 2.0/10
Marketing · 10% 8.8/10
How we got 3.6 Show
Weighted score 5.0/10
Score limited by a dominant nutrition concern. 3.6
Also flagged
Highly processed (NOVA) and high total sugar
Final score 3.6/10 · Concerning

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 malt beverage, marketed for children, contains a significant amount of milk solids and cereal extracts, providing protein and carbohydrates. However, the presence of nature identical flavouring substances and acesulfame potassium (INS 950) as a non-caloric sweetener raises concerns for children, particularly regarding potential long-term effects of artificial sweeteners. While the product offers some nutritional benefits from its main ingredients, the additive profile and the target audience of children warrant caution.

Declared allergens: Milk and Gluten

Milk· Milk Solids Gluten· Barley, Wheat

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.

Malt beverage with milk solids, cereal extracts, and artificial sweetener

The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This malt-based drink for children provides protein from milk solids and energy from cereal extracts. However, it includes nature identical flavouring substances and acesulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener, which may not be ideal for regular consumption by children.

Consider this product carefully if you are

  • Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 0 g per 100 g.
Okay for: Adults seeking a malt beverage
Concern breakdown What drives the score, concern by concern · score out of 10, higher = fewer concerns
Key risks: Nutrition profile Nature identical flavouring substances

Concern breakdown

Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concerns

How 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.

Hydration & Nutritional Value Significant concern · 2.1/10
Empty Calories & Caloric Load Significant concern · 3.0/10
Added & Hidden Sugar Significant concern · 3.5/10
Artificial Sweeteners Significant concern · 3.5/10
Artificial Flavours Significant concern · 3.5/10
Preservatives & Additives Moderate concern · 5.0/10
Caffeine & Stimulant Load No concern identified · 8.0/10
Acidity & Dental Erosion No concern identified · 8.0/10
Artificial Colours & Dyes No concern identified · 8.0/10

Toddlers & young children (1–5)

Limit

Contains acesulfame potassium (INS 950), an artificial sweetener. While generally recognized as safe, some experts recommend limiting artificial sweeteners in young children due to potential effects on taste preferences and gut microbiota, and ongoing research into long-term health impacts.

Why the score is capped

Highly processed (NOVA) and high total sugar

Rule F-CAP-07

What's good

High content of cereal extracts for energy

Significant milk solids content provides protein and calcium

Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals

Watch out for

Presence of nature identical flavouring substances

Contains acesulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener, which may not be ideal for children's regular consumption

Contains gluten from barley and wheat, unsuitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity

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 →

Decode Label Analysis

Contains acesulfame potassium (INS 950), an artificial sweetener. While approved, some health organizations advise caution regarding artificial sweetener consumption in children due to ongoing research on long-term effects.

Contains nature identical flavouring substances, which are synthetic compounds designed to mimic natural flavors. The specific compounds are not disclosed.

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.

?
"NUTRITION FOR STRONG BONES" Can't verify

The claim about nutrition for strong bones is a general health benefit that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition list alone.

§
"CLINICALLY PROVEN TO HELP IMPROVE BONE STRENGTH IN 6 MONTHS" Regulatory designation

This is the maker’s regulatory age/stage designation for the product — an ingredient list can’t confirm or deny it, so it’s classified separately rather than flagged as a doubtful claim.

?
"100% RDA of CALCIUM, VITAMIN D & K2" Can't verify

The label states '100% RDA' of Calcium, Vitamin D & K2, but the specific RDA values for these nutrients are not provided on the label to verify if the stated amounts meet 100% of the RDA.

Calcium 1000 mg Vitamin D 16.7 mcg Vitamin K2 91.7 mcg
✓
"chocolate flavour" Checks out

The ingredients list nature identical flavouring substances, which supports the chocolate flavour claim.

Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
✓
"Vital Nutrients to support BONE DENSITY" Checks out

The nutrition information shows the product contains Calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K2, which are vital nutrients known to support bone density.

Calcium 1000 mg Vitamin D 16.7 mcg Vitamin K2 91.7 mcg
✓
"Vital Nutrients to support HEALTHY MUSCLES" Checks out

The nutrition information shows the product contains protein, which is a vital nutrient known to support healthy muscles.

protein g 15
✓
"ZERO ADDED SUGAR" Checks out

The label declares 0 g added sugar; the 28 g of sugar shown is naturally occurring from grains and milk. The "no added sugar" claim is supported by the label.

added sugar g 0

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.
    Cereal Extract 46%
    Cereal Extract (46%)
  • Barley within Cereal Extract
  • Wheat within Cereal Extract
  • Malted Barley within Cereal Extract
  • Wheat Malt within Cereal Extract
  • 2.
    Milk Solids 37%
    Milk Solids (37%)
  • 3.
    Maltodextrin
  • 4.
    Minerals
  • 5.
    Edible Iodized Salt
  • 6.
    Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
  • 7.
    Vitamins
  • 8.
    Non-Caloric Sweetener
    Non-Caloric Sweetener (INS 950)

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.

Milk Allergen on the label: Milk Solids
Allergen
Gluten Allergen on the label: Barley, Wheat, Malted Barley
Allergen

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.

High in sugar Trace trans fat High in sodium
Nutrition (per 100 g) Serving: 30 GM EACH
Energy 360 kcal
Protein 15 g
Carbohydrate 68.2 g
Total Sugars 28 g
Added Sugars 0 g
Total Fat 3 g
Saturated Fat 1.5 g
Trans Fat 0.1 g
Dietary Fibre 2 g
Sodium 650 mg
Calcium 1,000 mg
Vitamin D 16.7 mcg
Vitamin K2 91.7 mcg
Vitamin C 66.6 mg
Magnesium 121 mg
Zinc 2.7 mg
Pottasium 542 mg
Cholesterol 6 mg
Vitamin B1 0.6 mg
Vitamin B3 6.7 mg
Vitamin B5 2.8 mg
Vitamin B7 16.5 mcg
Iodine 82.5 mcg
Vitamin B2 1.8 mg
Vitamin B6 3.3 mg
Vitamin B12 1.6 mcg
Vitamin B9 200 mcg
Vitamin A 330 mcg
Vitamin E 4.1 mg
Selenium 43 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.

View all →

What are the ingredients in Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour?

The label of Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour lists 12 ingredients, in label order: Cereal Extract, Barley, Wheat, Malted Barley, Wheat Malt, Milk Solids, Maltodextrin, Minerals, Edible Iodised Salt, Nature identical flavouring substances, Vitamins, Non-Caloric Sweetener. Flagged by the analysis: Nature identical flavouring substances, Non-Caloric Sweetener.

Is Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour safe to eat?

Women's Plus Chocolate 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-based drink for children provides protein from milk solids and energy from cereal extracts. However, it includes nature identical flavouring substances and acesulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener, which may not be ideal for regular consumption by children.

Why does Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour score 3.6/10?

Flagged in the score: Presence of nature identical flavouring substances. Also noted: Contains acesulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener, which may not be ideal for children's regular consumption. Contains gluten from barley and wheat, unsuitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Who should avoid Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour?

The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding artificial sweeteners (acesulfame potassium); Sensitive to flavouring substances; Milk allergy; Gluten sensitivity.

Is Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour suitable for babies or young children?

Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.

Does Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour contain allergens?

Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Milk Solids) and gluten (Barley, Wheat, Malted Barley and Wheat Malt). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.

Does Women's Plus Chocolate 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 Women's Plus Chocolate 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 Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour high in sugar?

Yes — 28 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.

Is Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour high in salt?

Yes — 650 mg of sodium per 100 g (about 1.63 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 Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour pack accurate?

Decode Label checked 7 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "NUTRITION FOR STRONG BONES" — can't be verified from the label. "CLINICALLY PROVEN TO HELP IMPROVE BONE STRENGTH IN 6 MONTHS" — can't be verified from the label. "100% RDA of CALCIUM, VITAMIN D & K2" — can't be verified from the label.

Is Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour vegetarian?

Women's Plus Chocolate 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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