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Brand owned by Glanbia (Ireland) · about the brand
Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.1 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This adult meal replacement product provides a comprehensive blend of protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it suitable for its intended use under dietary supervision. The primary concerns are the presence of artificial sweeteners, Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose, which are listed as ingredients of caution due to ongoing research into their long-term effects. While the product is designed to be a complete meal replacement, individuals sensitive to artificial sweeteners or those seeking to avoid them should exercise caution.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Calcium Caseinate
- Egg Albumin
- Milk Protein Isolate
- Cocoa powder
- +24 more →
Adult meal replacement with protein blend and artificial sweeteners
This product is an adult meal replacement formulated with a protein blend, vitamins, and minerals. It contains artificial sweeteners, Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose, which are under ongoing research regarding their long-term health effects. Individuals who prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners should be aware of their presence.
Declared allergens: Egg, Milk and Soy
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.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for supplement. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Saturated fat 0.9 g · trans fat 0 g per 100 g/ml
Other audiences
AvoidThis is a weight-management meal replacement (Food for Special Dietary Use), formulated for adults. It is not intended for infants or children, and the pack directs that it be used under medical or dietary supervision.
Why the score is capped
Contains an intense artificial sweetener (acesulfame). Sweeteners are judged by name, and a protein powder is not exempt
Rule S-CAP-01 · Source: Declared ingredient list; EFSA and JECFA acceptable-daily-intake reviews of the named sweetener
What's good
Comprehensive protein blend from multiple sources
Fortified with a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals
Contains beneficial amino acids and derivatives like Creatine Monohydrate and L-Glutamine
Includes Medium Chain Triglycerides for easily digestible fats
Watch out for
Contains both natural and artificial flavors, with the artificial component lacking specific disclosure
Presence of artificial sweeteners (Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose) which some consumers prefer to avoid due to ongoing research on long-term health effects
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid — preservative - can form benzene with vitamin C; in the Southampton colour/preservative mixtures.
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.
Sodium Benzoate (E211)
Benzoates are permitted preservatives with an established acceptable daily intake. Two documented concerns: in acidic drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) they can slowly form small amounts of benzene, especially with heat and light (US FDA beverage survey, 2006); and sodium benzoate was one of the additives in the Southampton study mixtures associated with hyperactivity in children. It can also trigger reactions in some people with asthma or urticaria.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA re-evaluation of benzoic acid and benzoates (2016); US FDA benzene-in-beverages survey (2006); McCann et al., Lancet 2007
Sodium Benzoate: regulation, sources and other products →Sucralose (E955)
Sucralose is an approved intense sweetener with an established acceptable daily intake. The WHO (2023) advises against relying on non-sugar sweeteners for weight control, and research into long-term gut and metabolic effects is ongoing. Heating it at very high temperatures is not recommended.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: WHO guideline on non-sugar sweeteners (2023); EFSA/JECFA acceptable daily intake
Sucralose: regulation, sources and other products →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 →Decode Label Analysis
Contains Acesulfame Potassium, an intense artificial sweetener. Long-term effects of regular use are not settled.
Contains Sucralose, an intense artificial sweetener. Long-term effects of regular use are not settled.
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 13.3% 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.)
Authenticity is a certification or sourcing claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts.
Muscle building and weight gain are functional claims that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts alone.
Building and maintaining muscle are functional claims that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts alone.
Fueling intense workouts is a functional claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts alone.
This is the product’s regulatory food-category / usage designation (e.g. a Food for Special Dietary Use classification or a mandated “use under medical advice” direction) — printed because regulation requires it, not a benefit claim. An ingredient list can’t confirm or deny it, s
This is a usage instruction and not a verifiable claim about the product's composition.
The ingredients list 'Natural and Artificial Flavor', which supports the vanilla flavour claim.
The product provides 1251 calories per serving (334g), calculated from 375 kcal per 100g.
The product provides 1251 calories per serving, which can help boost calorie intake.
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.
Maltodextrin 77%Maltodextrin (77%)
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2.
Protein Blend 15%Protein Blend (15%)
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Whey Protein Concentrate within Protein Blend
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Calcium Caseinate within Protein Blend
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Egg Albumin within Protein Blend
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Milk Protein Isolate within Protein Blend
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Whey Powder within Protein Blend
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3.
Cocoa PowderCocoa Powder (processed with alkali)
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4.
Natural and Artificial Flavor
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5.
Medium Chain Triglycerides
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6.
Lecithin
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7.
Malic Acid
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8.
Salt
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9.
Acesulfame Potassium
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10.
Sucralose
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11.
Ascorbic Acid
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12.
Ferric Pyrophosphate
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13.
Vitamin E Acetate
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14.
Niacinamide
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15.
Zinc Oxide
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16.
D-Calcium Pantothenate
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17.
Manganese Sulphate
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18.
Copper Gluconate
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19.
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
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20.
Thiamine Mononitrate
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21.
Riboflavin
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22.
Vitamin A Acetate
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23.
Folic Acid
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24.
Potassium Iodide
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25.
Chromium Chloride
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26.
Sodium Molybdate
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27.
Sodium Selenite
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28.
Biotin
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29.
Cyanocobalamin
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30.
Creatine Monohydrate
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31.
L-Glutamine
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32.
Choline Bitartrate
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33.
Inositol
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34.
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid
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 | 375 kcal |
| Protein | 12.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 77.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 10.4 g |
| Added Sugars | 0 g |
| Total Fat | 1.8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.9 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 0 g |
| Sodium | 45 mg |
| Cholesterol | 45 mg |
| Potassium | 139 mg |
| Vitamin A | 318 mcg |
| Thiamine | 0.37 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.04 mg |
| Niacin | 2.6 mg |
| Folic Acid | 66 mcg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.39 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.66 mcg |
| Biotin | 13 mcg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 1.9 mg |
| Vitamin C | 25 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0.9 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 2.9 mg |
| Calcium | 171 mg |
| Chromium | 15 mcg |
| Iron | 3.1 mg |
| Iodide | 33 mcg |
| Magnesium | 15 mg |
| Manganese | 0.15 mg |
| Molybdenum | 1.5 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 13 mg |
| Selenium | 1.5 mcg |
| Zinc | 3.6 mg |
| Creatine Monohydrate | 0.6 g |
| L-Glutamine | 0.6 mg |
| Choline | 39 mg |
| Inositol | 75 mg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
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Serious Mass Chocolate Flavour
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What are the ingredients in Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour?
The label of Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour lists 39 ingredients, in label order: Maltodextrin, Protein blend, Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Egg Albumin, Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Powder, Cocoa powder, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Lecithin, Malic Acid, Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Ascorbic acid, Ferric pyrophosphate, Vitamin E Acetate, Niacinamide, ZINC OXIDE, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese sulphate, Copper Gluconate, Pyridoxine hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Acetate, Folic acid, Potassium iodide, Chromium Chloride, Sodium molybdate, Sodium selenite, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Creatine Monohydrate, L-Glutamine, Choline bitartrate, Inositol, Para-Aminobenzoic Acid. Flagged by the analysis: Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Para-Aminobenzoic Acid.
Is Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour safe to eat?
Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour scores 5.1/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This product is an adult meal replacement formulated with a protein blend, vitamins, and minerals. It contains artificial sweeteners, Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose, which are under ongoing research regarding their long-term health effects. Individuals who prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners should be aware of their presence.
Why does Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour score 5.1/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of artificial sweeteners (Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose) which some consumers prefer to avoid due to ongoing research on long-term health effects. Para-Aminobenzoic Acid — preservative - can form benzene with vitamin C; in the Southampton colour/preservative mixtures. Also noted: Contains both natural and artificial flavors, with the artificial component lacking specific disclosure.
Who should avoid Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding artificial sweeteners; Sensitive to Acesulfame Potassium; Sensitive to Sucralose; Milk allergy / lactose intolerance; Egg allergy.
Does Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Milk Protein Isolate and Whey Powder), egg (Egg Albumin) and soy (the pack’s allergen statement). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour contain milk?
Yes — the ingredient list names Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Milk Protein Isolate and Whey Powder. People with milk allergy / lactose intolerance should treat it as containing milk, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour contain egg?
Yes — the ingredient list names Egg Albumin. People with egg allergy should treat it as containing egg, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour contain soy?
Yes — the ingredient list names the pack’s allergen statement. People with soy allergy should treat it as containing soy, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
How much sugar is in Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour?
10.4 g of total sugar per 100 g. The label declares 0 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Are the claims on the Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 10 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "HIGH PROTEIN" — misleading. "100% AUTHENTIC" — can't be verified from the label. "MUSCLE BUILDING & WEIGHT GAIN FORMULA" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour vegetarian?
Serious Mass Vanilla Flavour is marked non-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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