⌕ Zoom

Photo from the brand's official website

Britannia

50-50 Gol Maal

Name: 50-50 Gol Maal
Brand: Britannia

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4ultra-processedhigh sugarcontains tartrazinecontains palm oilhigh saturated fatlactose-freenut-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

14 g

Pack

—

Ingredients

Barcode

8901063017535

Buy on Amazon

01 — Ingredient mix

What’s in the box, ranked from most concerning.

Each ingredient gets a tier from our researched dossier. The list sorts worst-first; the donut summarises the distribution. Tap any ingredient for its full dossier.

Caution · 9 ingredients shown

Caution9 of 13 ingredients

Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)Caution

Refined Palm & Palmolein OilCaution

SugarCaution

Raising Agents [503(ii), 500(ii) & 341(i)]Caution

Invert Sugar SyrupCaution

Emulsifiers [322(i) & 471]Caution

Nature Identical Flavouring SubstancesCaution

Dough Conditioner (223)Caution

Colour (102)Caution

Cleared 4▾

Cumin Black (Kalonji)Cleared

Iodised SaltCleared

Milk SolidsCleared

Improver [1101(i)]Cleared

02 — Claims audit

Every label claim, fact-checked.

We treat each claim as a question — does what’s inside back it up? Tap a claim for the reasoning.

1/3

claims fully supported

“Zero Transfat”true

Nutrition panel confirms transFatG: 0.0 g per 100 g and 0% RDA per serve. Claim is accurate.

“Light Cracker with a Kala Jeera Twist”misleading

The manufacturer's own label caveat states 'Light refers to the light bite that melts in the mouth' — not lower calories or fat. At 508 kcal/100 g and 23.2 g fat/100 g, this product is energy-dense. The word 'light' strongly implies a dietary benefit to most consumers, making the framing misleading despite the small-print disclaimer.

“17% Extra”unverified

The extra information confirms '17% Extra' as a promotional offer valid till stocks last. Net weight per pack is null (OCR gap), so the quantum of extra weight cannot be independently verified from available data.

03 — The fuller picture

Read the whole thing if a one-line verdict isn’t enough.

What’s in favour, and what’s working against it

In favour

Zero trans fat confirmed by nutrition panel
Contains iodised salt — contributes dietary iodine
Kalonji (black cumin) is a genuine functional spice ingredient
FSSAI licensed and manufactured in India under regulated conditions

Working against

Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): synthetic colour, sulfite preservative, emulsifiers, nature-identical flavouring
Very high sugar: 21.8 g/100 g total; added sugar 20.8 g/100 g
Contains tartrazine (E102) — EU mandates hyperactivity warning for children
Contains sodium metabisulfite (E223) — EFSA ADI withdrawn 2022; hazardous for sulfite-sensitive individuals
Refined palm and palmolein oils — high saturated fat and EFSA-flagged process contaminants (GE, 3-MCPD)
High sodium at 458 mg/100 g; multiple hidden sodium sources beyond iodised salt

Who should approach with care

Gluten Intolerance — Refined wheat flour contains gluten proteins (gliadin and glutenin) that trigger an autoimmune intestinal response in celiac disease and cause symptoms in non-celiac gluten sensitivity; complete avoidance is required.

Sulfite Sensitivity — Sodium metabisulfite (E223) releases sulfur dioxide and can trigger severe hypersensitivity reactions — bronchoconstriction, urticaria, anaphylaxis — in sulfite-sensitive and asthmatic individuals, as documented in FDA adverse-reaction reports and EFSA evaluations.

Infants — Contains iodised salt, invert sugar syrup, palm/palmolein oils with EFSA-flagged GE/3-MCPD contaminants, and sodium metabisulfite — none of which are appropriate in infant diets per WHO and paediatric nutritional guidelines.

Diabetes — High sucrose (20.5%) plus invert sugar syrup (free glucose and fructose) combined with a high-GI refined wheat flour base cause sharp postprandial blood glucose spikes, severely impairing glycaemic control.

Children — Tartrazine (E102) carries an EU mandatory warning for adverse effects on activity and attention in children; additionally, high free-sugar content promotes dental caries and obesity risk, and EFSA-flagged GE/3-MCPD contaminants from palm oils are of elevated concern in younger age groups.

Hypertension — Sodium content is 458 mg/100 g with additional hidden sodium from sodium bicarbonate (E500ii) and sodium metabisulfite (E223); combined dietary sodium load is a well-established driver of elevated blood pressure.

Heart Disease — Refined palm and palmolein oils contribute substantial saturated fat (11.2 g/100 g), invert syrup elevates plasma triglycerides, and high sodium promotes fluid retention — all independently exacerbating cardiovascular risk.

Kidney Disease — Monocalcium phosphate (E341i) is explicitly flagged by EFSA as unsuitable for individuals with moderate-to-severe kidney impairment, and high dietary sodium (from multiple sources) and milk-solids phosphorus further burden impaired renal function.

Liver Disease — High saturated fat from palm oil may exacerbate lipid metabolism dysfunction, and the free-fructose fraction of invert sugar syrup promotes de novo lipogenesis, potentially worsening non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Lactose Intolerance — Milk solids are present as an ingredient and contain lactose, which can trigger bloating, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps in lactose-intolerant individuals.

Pregnancy — Refined palm and palmolein oils carry EFSA-classified genotoxic/carcinogenic GE contaminants warranting precautionary limitation in pregnancy; high refined-sugar load and refined wheat flour also displace more nutrient-dense foods critical for fetal development.

Lactation — Iodised salt alone may not meet the elevated iodine requirement during lactation (200 µg/day per EFSA), and a clinician should assess whether additional supplementation is necessary to ensure adequate breast milk iodine content.

Thyroid Disease — Iodised salt can precipitate iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis or worsen autoimmune thyroid conditions, and tartrazine (E102) has been associated with preliminary evidence of thyroid disturbance in susceptible individuals.

Ibs — Refined wheat flour contributes fermentable fructans (FODMAPs), invert sugar syrup delivers free fructose (a recognised IBS trigger), and sodium metabisulfite can irritate gastrointestinal mucosa — a convergence of multiple IBS risk factors.

Ibd — Tartrazine (E102) has been shown in preclinical studies to induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in gut tissues, potentially exacerbating underlying inflammatory bowel disease flares.

Migraine — Tartrazine (E102) is listed among dietary triggers associated with migraine episodes in susceptible individuals.

Phenylketonuria — Both refined wheat flour and milk solids contribute phenylalanine-rich proteins; individuals with phenylketonuria must carefully account for phenylalanine from all dietary protein sources within their strictly controlled low-phenylalanine diet.

The full analysis

Bought widely as an everyday tea-time biscuit, 50-50 Gol Maal is an ultra-processed snack (NOVA 4) carrying a meaningful set of concerns: 21.8 g of sugar per 100 g (over 20% of the product by weight) with added sugar declared at 20.8 g, significant saturated fat from palm and palmolein oils (both linked to process contaminants GE and 3-MCPD by EFSA), a synthetic azo dye tartrazine (E102) that carries an EU mandatory children's hyperactivity warning, and a preservative (sodium metabisulfite, E223) whose EFSA ADI was withdrawn in 2022 due to data gaps. While trans fat is genuinely zero and the kalonji is a real flavour ingredient, the 'light' descriptor refers only to mouthfeel per the manufacturer's own label disclaimer — not to calorie or fat content. The single most useful thing a consumer should know: this is a high-sugar, high-saturated-fat, additive-laden biscuit that is particularly unsuitable for children, diabetics, and anyone avoiding synthetic colours or sulfites.

FSSAI licence

10015043001129

Manufacturer

Britannia Industries Ltd.

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched