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Brand owned by Nestlé (Switzerland) · about the brand
MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.5 ShowHide
Reviewed 4 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This seasoning cube contains several ingredients that warrant caution, particularly for regular consumption. The presence of an ammonia caramel colour, classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen, is a significant concern. Additionally, the product is high in sodium, which can be problematic for individuals managing blood pressure or for young children. While it offers convenience, consumers should be aware of these potential health implications.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Mixed Spices
- Dehydrated carrot bits
- Toasted onion powder
- Dehydrated coriander leaves
High sodium, undisclosed flavourings, and a possible carcinogen.
This seasoning cube contains an ammonia caramel colour, which has a by-product classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen. It is also very high in sodium, which is a concern for blood pressure and children's diets. The specific flavour enhancers and nature-identical flavouring substances are not fully disclosed, raising transparency issues.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — Palm oil and Flavour Enhancer are declared.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for food. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Saturated fat 2.3 g · trans fat 0.1 g per 100 g/ml
Infants under 1
AvoidContains high levels of added salt and sugar, which are not suitable for an infant's developing kidneys and taste preferences.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitHigh sodium and sugar content can contribute to unhealthy dietary habits and potential health issues in young children. The undisclosed flavourings and colour are also a concern.
Why the score is capped
Very high sodium per serving
Rule F-CAP-02
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
Flavouring not disclosed — the label does not say which substance this is
Rule F-CAP-13
What's good
Includes dehydrated vegetables (carrot bits) and natural spices (mixed spices, toasted onion powder, dehydrated coriander leaves) for flavour.
Watch out for
Very high sodium content, which can be detrimental to cardiovascular health and unsuitable for young children.
Presence of an ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d) with a by-product classified as a possible human carcinogen by IARC.
Palm oil contributes saturated fat to the diet.
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.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is very high in saturated fatty acids (~50%), which raise LDL cholesterol and increase cardiovascular risk with regular high consumption. Refined palm oil can also carry processing contaminants (glycidyl esters and 3-MCPD esters), which EFSA assessed in 2016.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: WHO; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; EFSA CONTAM opinion (2016)
Palm Oil: regulation, sources and other products →Disodium Ribonucleotides (E635)
E635 is a mixture of disodium inosinate (E631) and disodium guanylate (E627). Both are purine nucleotides, which the body breaks down to uric acid. People with gout or hyperuricaemia, or who have been advised to limit purines, may wish to limit foods containing it. The amounts used in foods are small, so the concern applies to people already managing uric acid rather than to the general population.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA; WHO; Arthritis Foundation
Disodium Ribonucleotides: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains an ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d), whose by-product 4-MEI is classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen. This concern applies to ingestion.
High sodium content is a concern for individuals managing blood pressure and for young children.
Palm oil is high in saturated fat, which can contribute to cardiovascular risk, and its processing can lead to contaminants like glycidyl esters.
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 indicates 'Suggested Preparation' but does not provide details that can be verified from the ingredient or nutrition list.
The claim suggests uses for the product, which cannot be verified from the ingredient or nutrition list.
The claim identifies the product as a seasoning, which is a product classification and cannot be verified from the ingredient or nutrition list.
The product is marked with a green dot, indicating it is vegetarian.
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.
Iodized salt
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2.
Sugar
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3.
Flavour enhancerDisodium 5'-ribonucleotides (INS 635)Flavour enhancer (635)
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4.
Mixed spicesMixed spices (Dehydrated onion, Dried garlic, Black pepper powder, Turmeric powder, Nutmeg powder)
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5.
Palm oil
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6.
Starch
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7.
Nature identical flavouring substances
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8.
Dehydrated carrot bits
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9.
Toasted onion powder
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10.
Acidity regulatorCitric acid (INS 330)Acidity regulator (330)
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11.
Dehydrated coriander leaves
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12.
Colour synthetic colourSulphite ammonia caramel (INS 150D)Colour (150d)
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13.
Natural flavouring substanceand Natural flavouring substance.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 130 kcal |
| Protein | 2.9 g |
| Carbohydrate | 19.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.1 g |
| Added Sugars | 6.6 g |
| Total Fat | 3.4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.3 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.05 g |
| Sodium | 18,620.4 mg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
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What are the ingredients in MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala?
The label of MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala lists 13 ingredients, in label order: Iodized Salt, Sugar, Flavour Enhancer, Mixed Spices, Palm oil, Starch, Nature identical flavouring substances, Dehydrated carrot bits, Toasted onion powder, Acidity Regulator, Dehydrated coriander leaves, Colour, Natural flavouring substance. Flagged by the analysis: Colour, Flavour Enhancer, Palm oil.
Is MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala safe to eat?
MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala scores 1.5/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This seasoning cube contains an ammonia caramel colour, which has a by-product classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen. It is also very high in sodium, which is a concern for blood pressure and children's diets. The specific flavour enhancers and nature-identical flavouring substances are not fully disclosed, raising transparency issues.
Why does MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala score 1.5/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of an ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d) with a by-product classified as a possible human carcinogen by IARC. Palm oil contributes saturated fat to the diet. Also noted: Very high sodium content, which can be detrimental to cardiovascular health and unsuitable for young children.
Who should avoid MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Individuals sensitive to flavour enhancers; Those managing blood pressure; Children due to high sodium and sugar; Anyone avoiding IARC Group 2B classified substances.
Is MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
How much sugar is in MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala?
7.1 g of total sugar per 100 g. The label declares 6.6 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Is MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala high in salt?
Yes — 18,620 mg of sodium per 100 g (about 46.55 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 MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 4 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Suggested Preparation" — can't be verified from the label. "Lets Create Mix Veg Korma, Vegetable Pulao and more" — can't be verified from the label. "SEASONING" — can't be verified from the label.
Is MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala vegetarian?
MAGGI MAGIC Cubes, Vegetarian Masala 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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