Pack image shown to identify the product. Decode Label is independent of Junior Horlicks and is not sponsored or endorsed by it. Trademarks
Vanilla Flavour
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 3.4 ShowHide
Reviewed 1 time · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This health malt drink for children contains a significant amount of milk solids and cereal extracts, providing some nutritional base. However, it is important to note the presence of added sugar, which is a dominant concern for products aimed at children, as high intake can contribute to dental issues and unhealthy dietary patterns. The inclusion of a 'Nature Identical Flavouring Substance' also means the specific flavour compounds are not disclosed, which may be a consideration for parents seeking full transparency. While fortified with vitamins and minerals, these do not offset the sugar content.
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.
High in added sugar, contains undisclosed flavouring 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 health malt drink, marketed for children, contains a notable amount of added sugar, which is a primary concern for this age group. While it provides some nutritional fortification, the specific compounds in the 'Nature Identical Flavouring Substance' are not disclosed.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 5 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 added sugar; high intake can contribute to dental issues and unhealthy dietary patterns. Monitor overall sugar consumption.
Why the score is capped
Highly processed (NOVA) and high total sugar
Rule F-CAP-07
What's good
Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
Contains milk solids and soy protein isolate for protein content
Watch out for
High added sugar content, especially for a product aimed at children
Undisclosed specific compounds in the 'Nature Identical Flavouring Substance'
Contains multiple common allergens: wheat, barley, milk, and soy
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 added sugar, which contributes to overall free sugar intake. WHO advises keeping free sugar under 10% of energy, ideally under 5%.
The 'Nature Identical Flavouring Substance' is a flavour blend whose individual compounds are not listed on the label, which may be a concern for those seeking full ingredient transparency.
Contains wheat, barley, milk solids, and soy protein isolate, which are common allergens. Not suitable for individuals with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, lactose intolerance, or soy allergy.
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 presence of a free puzzle inside cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts.
The monetary value of the free puzzle cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts.
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.
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) powder is listed in the ingredients.
Protein is listed in the nutrition facts as 12g per 100g and Soy Protein Isolate is listed in the ingredients.
The ingredients list Wheat Flour (Atta), Malted Barley, Cereal Extract, Barley, Malted Barley, Millet, and Wheat.
Nature Identical Flavouring Substance is listed in the ingredients, which supports the vanilla flavour 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.
18 entries as printed on the label · 17 distinct ingredients (some are declared more than once).
-
1.
Wheat FlourWheat Flour (Atta)
-
2.
Malted Barley
-
3.
Extracted Solids 25%Extracted Solids (25%)
-
4.
Milk Solids 22%Milk Solids (22%)
-
5.
Cereal Extract 8%Cereal Extract (8%)
-
Barley within Cereal Extract
-
Malted Barley within Cereal Extract
-
Millet within Cereal Extract
-
Wheat within Cereal Extract
-
6.
Sugar
-
7.
Minerals
-
8.
Wheat Gluten
-
9.
Vitamins
-
10.
Edible Iodized Salt
-
11.
Acidity RegulatorAcidity Regulator [INS 501 (ii)]
-
12.
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) powder from Schizochytrium sp. 0.26% trace amountDocosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) powder from Schizochytrium sp. (0.26%)
-
13.
Nature Identical Flavouring Substance
-
14.
Soy Protein Isolate
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 | 376 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrate | 74 g |
| Total Sugars | 40 g |
| Added Sugars | 5 g |
| Total Fat | 4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 2 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg |
| DHA | 40 mg |
| Vitamin A | 521.7 mcg |
| B1 | 0.8 mg |
| B2 | 1 mg |
| B3 | 8.7 mg |
| B5 | 2.6 mg |
| B6 | 1.5 mg |
| B7 | 8.7 mcg |
| B9 | 82 mcg |
| B12 | 1.6 mcg |
| C | 65.2 mg |
| D | 8.2 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 5.4 mg |
| Vitamin K | 13 mcg |
| Calcium | 833 mg |
| Chloride | 500 mg |
| Copper | 0.3 mg |
| Iodine | 97.83 mcg |
| Iron | 16.63 mg |
| Magnesium | 70.7 mg |
| Potassium | 580 mg |
| Selenium | 34.8 mcg |
| Zinc | 6 mg |
| Choline | 110 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.
-
Complan Advanced Nutrition New Royale Chocolate Flavour
See the analysis
-
Boost Boost 3X More Refill pack
See the analysis
-
Nestle MILO Nestle MILO PRO Nourishing Energy Drink
See the analysis
-
Complan Royale Chocolate flavour
See the analysis
-
Glucon-D Tangy Orange
See the analysis
-
Horlicks Women's Plus Chocolate Flavour
See the analysis
What are the ingredients in Vanilla Flavour?
The label of Vanilla Flavour lists 17 ingredients, in label order: Wheat Flour, Extracted Solids, Milk Solids, Cereal Extract, Barley, Malted Barley, Millet, Wheat, Sugar, Minerals, Wheat gluten, Vitamins, Edible Iodised Salt, Acidity Regulator, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) powder from Schizochytrium sp., Nature Identical Flavouring Substance, Soy protein isolate. Flagged by the analysis: Nature Identical Flavouring Substance.
Is Vanilla Flavour safe to eat?
Vanilla Flavour scores 3.4/10 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 health malt drink, marketed for children, contains a notable amount of added sugar, which is a primary concern for this age group. While it provides some nutritional fortification, the specific compounds in the 'Nature Identical Flavouring Substance' are not disclosed.
Why does Vanilla Flavour score 3.4/10?
Flagged in the score: Undisclosed specific compounds in the 'Nature Identical Flavouring Substance'. Also noted: High added sugar content, especially for a product aimed at children. Contains multiple common allergens: wheat, barley, milk, and soy.
Who should avoid Vanilla Flavour?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding added sugars for children; Sensitive to undisclosed flavouring substances; Lactose intolerant (contains milk solids); Gluten sensitive or celiac disease (contains wheat and barley); Soy allergy.
Is Vanilla Flavour suitable for babies or young children?
Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Vanilla Flavour contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Milk Solids), soy (Soy protein isolate) and gluten (Wheat Flour, Barley, Malted Barley and Wheat). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Vanilla 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 Vanilla 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 Vanilla Flavour contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Wheat Flour, Barley, Malted Barley 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 Vanilla Flavour high in sugar?
Yes — 40 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 5 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Are the claims on the Vanilla Flavour pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 7 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "FREE CHHOTA BHEEM PUZZLE INSIDE" — can't be verified from the label. "WORTH ₹99" — can't be verified from the label. "FOR AGES 2 TO 6 YEARS" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Vanilla Flavour vegetarian?
Vanilla 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.
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
Vanilla Flavour
Link copied — paste it in your Instagram bio or Story!