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Brand owned by Mondelez International (United States) · about the brand
Mango Instant Drink Mix
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.5 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This beverage is primarily a source of added sugar and artificial sweeteners, with a very low amount of actual fruit powder. The presence of ammonia sulphite caramel (INS 150d) is a significant concern due to its classification by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) through its manufacturing byproduct 4-MEI. Additionally, the synthetic colours Tartrazine (INS 102) and Sunset Yellow FCF (INS 110) are linked to hyperactivity in children, necessitating a warning in the EU. While it contains added vitamins and minerals, these do not offset the high sugar content and the presence of these warning-level additives. This product is best avoided by children and individuals sensitive to artificial colours or those seeking to limit exposure to potentially carcinogenic food additives.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Vitamins
- Mineral including Sulphate
High added sugar and artificial sweeteners; contains IARC-classified caramel colour
This beverage is high in added sugar and contains artificial sweeteners, making it a source of free sugars. It includes ammonia sulphite caramel (INS 150d), which is associated with a manufacturing byproduct (4-MEI) classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The product also contains synthetic colours Tartrazine (INS 102) and Sunset Yellow FCF (INS 110), which are linked to hyperactivity in children. These factors make it less suitable for regular consumption, especially for children.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 94.2 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.
Infants under 1
AvoidContains added sugar, which is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitContains Tartrazine (INS 102) and Sunset Yellow FCF (INS 110), synthetic colours linked to hyperactivity. High added sugar content is also a concern for this age group.
Why the score is capped
Very high added sugar
Rule F-CAP-01
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
Contains Tartrazine (INS 102) and Sunset Yellow (INS 110), synthetic colours linked to hyperactivity in children; the EU requires a pack warning for each
Rule F-CAP-18 · Source: McCann et al., Lancet 2007; EFSA 2009; EU Regulation 1333/2008 Annex V warning
Highly processed (NOVA) and high in sugar
Rule F-CAP-07
What's good
Contains added vitamins and minerals for fortification.
Watch out for
Very high added sugar content, contributing to free sugar intake.
Contains artificial sweetener (Sucralose) which some consumers prefer to avoid.
Highly processed formulation with multiple additives.
Mango Fruit Powder is present in a very small amount (0.9%), offering negligible nutritional benefit from the fruit itself.
Flavour (Natural and Nature Identical Flavouring Substances) — a flavour blend: its individual compounds are not listed on the label.
Anticaking Agent — flagged as a moderate-level concern — see the ingredient breakdown below.
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 →Decode Label Analysis
Contains Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (INS 150d), which can generate 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) during manufacture. IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'. The concentration of 4-MEI in this product is not stated on the label.
Contains Tartrazine (INS 102) and Sunset Yellow FCF (INS 110), synthetic colours linked to hyperactivity in children. The EU requires a warning label for products containing these colours.
This product is high in added sugar, which contributes to free sugar intake. WHO recommends limiting free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake, ideally less than 5%.
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.
The ingredients list 'Flavour (Natural and Nature Identical Flavouring Substances)', which includes nature identical flavouring substances, contradicting the claim of no artificial flavors.
The label does not provide information to verify the number of glasses the product makes.
The claim 'Refreshing & Tasty' is a subjective statement that cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
The product name itself states 'Instant Drink Mix'.
The ingredients list 'Mango Fruit Powder (0.9%*)' and 'Flavour (Natural and Nature Identical Flavouring Substances)' and 'Added mango flavour contains natural flavouring substances (Mango Flavour)'.
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.
Sugar
-
2.
Acidity RegulatorCitric acid (INS 330)Acidity Regulator (330)
-
3.
StabilizersXanthan gum (INS 415), Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (INS 466)Stabilizers (415, 466)
-
4.
Mango Fruit Powder 0.9% trace amountMango Fruit Powder (0.9%*)
-
5.
Flavour (Natural and Nature Identical Flavouring Substances) undisclosed flavouring
-
6.
Anticaking AgentCalcium phosphates (INS 341)Anticaking Agent (341 (iii))
-
7.
Vitamins
-
8.
Colours synthetic colourTitanium dioxide (INS 171), Sulphite ammonia caramel (INS 150D), Tartrazine (INS 102), Sunset yellow FCF (INS 110)Colours (171, 150d, 102, 110)
-
9.
SweetenerSucralose (INS 955)Sweetener (955)
-
10.
Mineral including SulphateMineral inc Sulphate
-
11.
Added mango flavour contains natural flavouring substances (Mango Flavour) undisclosed flavouring
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.
✓ 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 | 389 kcal |
| Protein | 0.1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 96.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 94.6 g |
| Added Sugars | 94.2 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 76 mg |
| Vitamin C | 264.7 mg |
| Zinc | 5.2 mg |
| Vitamin D | 13.5 µg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
Compare with other other beverage 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 Other Beverage products we've analysed, in name order.
What are the ingredients in Mango Instant Drink Mix?
The label of Mango Instant Drink Mix lists 11 ingredients, in label order: Sugar, Acidity Regulator, Stabilizers, Mango Fruit Powder, Flavour (Natural and Nature Identical Flavouring Substances), Anticaking Agent, Vitamins, Colour, Sweetener, Mineral including Sulphate, Added mango flavour contains natural flavouring substances (Mango Flavour). Flagged by the analysis: Flavour (Natural and Nature Identical Flavouring Substances), Added mango flavour contains natural flavouring substances (Mango Flavour), Anticaking Agent, Sweetener.
Is Mango Instant Drink Mix safe to eat?
Mango Instant Drink Mix scores 1.5/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This beverage is high in added sugar and contains artificial sweeteners, making it a source of free sugars. It includes ammonia sulphite caramel (INS 150d), which is associated with a manufacturing byproduct (4-MEI) classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The product also contains synthetic colours Tartrazine (INS 102) and Sunset Yellow FCF (INS 110), which are linked to hyperactivity in children. These factors make it less suitable for regular consumption, especially for children.
Why does Mango Instant Drink Mix score 1.5/10?
Flagged in the score: Contains artificial sweetener (Sucralose) which some consumers prefer to avoid. Also noted: Very high added sugar content, contributing to free sugar intake. Highly processed formulation with multiple additives.
Who should avoid Mango Instant Drink Mix?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Sensitive to artificial colours; Limiting added sugar intake; Children and toddlers.
Is Mango Instant Drink Mix suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Is Mango Instant Drink Mix high in sugar?
Yes — 94.6 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 94.2 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Are the claims on the Mango Instant Drink Mix pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 5 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS" — false. "MAKES 44 GLASSES" — can't be verified from the label. "REFRESHING & TASTY" — can't be verified from the label.
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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