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Brand owned by The Coca-Cola Company (United States) · about the brand
Thums Up
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 3.3 ShowHide
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 carbonated beverage contains added sugar, which contributes to its overall calorie content and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. A key concern is the presence of sulphite ammonia caramel (Colour 150d), which is associated with the formation of 4-MEI, classified by IARC as Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'. While the label does not specify the concentration of 4-MEI, individuals seeking to avoid such additives may wish to limit consumption. The product also contains caffeine, a stimulant, and its intake should be monitored, especially for children and pregnant individuals. The 'Flavours' and 'Flavouring Substances' are not individually disclosed, which limits full transparency regarding specific flavour compounds.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
High added sugar; contains IARC-classified caramel colour and caffeine
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This carbonated drink contains added sugar, contributing to its energy content. It also includes sulphite ammonia caramel (Colour 150d), which is linked to 4-MEI, a substance classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The product contains caffeine, a stimulant, which requires caution for children and pregnant individuals. The specific flavouring compounds are not disclosed.
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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 caffeine, a stimulant. Caffeine intake should be limited for children, with a recommended maximum of 3 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Contains added sugar. High intake of added sugars can contribute to dental caries and other health issues in children.
Other audiences
LimitContains caffeine. Pregnant individuals should limit caffeine intake to 200 mg per day.
Why the score is capped
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
Flavours, flavouring not disclosed — 2 additive classes are named without saying which substances they are
Rule F-CAP-13
Watch out for
High added sugar content
Presence of caffeine
Sulphite ammonia caramel (Colour 150d) and its association with 4-MEI
Undisclosed flavouring compounds
Acidity Regular — 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 →Caffeine
The EU food safety authority found that up to 400 mg of caffeine a day (about 3 mg per kg of body weight a day in children and adolescents) does not raise safety concerns, and that pregnant and breastfeeding women should stay at or below 200 mg a day. Caffeine added to a drink or supplement counts toward that total alongside coffee and tea. Energy drinks and fat-burner stacks are judged by their own caps; this record explains the substance.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine, EFSA Journal 2015;13(5):4102
Caffeine: 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 (Colour 150d), which is associated with the formation of 4-MEI, classified by IARC as Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'.
Contains caffeine, a stimulant. Intake should be monitored, especially for children and pregnant individuals.
Contains added sugar, which contributes to free sugar intake. Excessive consumption of free sugars is linked to various health concerns.
The specific compounds for 'Flavours' and 'Flavouring Substances' are not disclosed, limiting full ingredient transparency.
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.
Carbonated waterCarbonated water,
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2.
SugarSugar,
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3.
Acidity RegularAcidity Regular (338),
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4.
Caffeine 8.3mg/100gCaffeine (8.3mg/100g),
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5.
Colour synthetic colourSulphite ammonia caramel (INS 150D)Colour (150d),
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6.
FlavoursFlavours (Nature-Identical & Artificial (Cola)
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7.
Flavoring substancesFlavoring substances).
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 | 42 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrate | 10.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 10.4 g |
| Added Sugars | 10.4 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 0.81 mg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
Compare with other soft 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.
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What are the ingredients in Thums Up?
The label of Thums Up lists 7 ingredients, in label order: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidity Regular, Caffeine, Colour, Flavours, Flavouring Substances. Flagged by the analysis: Caffeine, Colour, Flavouring Substances, Acidity Regular.
Is Thums Up safe to eat?
Thums Up scores 3.3/10 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 carbonated drink contains added sugar, contributing to its energy content. It also includes sulphite ammonia caramel (Colour 150d), which is linked to 4-MEI, a substance classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The product contains caffeine, a stimulant, which requires caution for children and pregnant individuals. The specific flavouring compounds are not disclosed.
Why does Thums Up score 3.3/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of caffeine. Sulphite ammonia caramel (Colour 150d) and its association with 4-MEI. Also noted: High added sugar content.
Who should avoid Thums Up?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Sensitive to caffeine; Pregnant or breastfeeding; Children and young children.
Is Thums Up suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
How much sugar is in Thums Up?
10.4 g of total sugar per 100 ml. The label declares 10.4 g of that as added sugar per 100 ml.
Does Thums Up contain caffeine?
Yes — the ingredient list names Caffeine, a source of caffeine. Check the pack for the amount per serving, especially when buying for children or during pregnancy.
Is Thums Up vegetarian?
Thums Up is marked vegetarian, and contains no animal-derived ingredients.
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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