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Britannia

50-50 Maska Chaska

Name: 50-50 Maska Chaska
Brand: Britannia

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4ultra-processedhigh sodiumcontains palm oilzero trans fatno artificial colourslactose-freenut-freepregnancy-safeenjoy in moderation

Serving

12 g

Pack

—

Ingredients

Barcode

8901063017399

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 · 8 ingredients shown

Caution8 of 12 ingredients

Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)Caution

Refined Palm & Palmolein OilCaution

SugarCaution

Liquid GlucoseCaution

Raising Agents [503(ii), 341(ii), 500(ii) & 450(i)]Caution

ButterCaution

Black SaltCaution

Dough Conditioner (223)Caution

Cleared 4▾

Milk SolidsCleared

Dehydrated Vegetable (Chives)Cleared

Iodised SaltCleared

Nature Identical Flavouring SubstanceCleared

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.

2/3

claims fully supported

“0% Trans Fat”true

Both the per-serve nutrition panel (0g trans fat) and the per-100g rawLabelData (transFattyAcidsG: 0) confirm zero trans fatty acids.

“6 Snack Packs Inside”true

The packagingInfo field explicitly states '6 Snack Packs Inside', consistent with 25 servings across 6 inner packs.

“Chance to Win Cricket Match Passes & Cashback”unverified

This is a promotional sweepstakes claim tied to a PhonePe QR-code campaign; no data in the available product dossier can verify actual prize distribution or odds.

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 both per-serve and per-100g nutrition panels
FSSAI licensed with verified licence number (10015043001129)
Contains iodised salt, contributing to dietary iodine intake
Vegetarian product (no meat, fish, or egg ingredients)

Working against

Very high sodium: 1,065 mg per 100g (label panel)
High saturated fat: 13 g per 100g (~65% of recommended daily limit)
Contains refined palm and palmolein oil with EFSA-flagged genotoxic contaminants (GE, 3-MCPD)
Contains sodium metabisulfite (E223); EFSA withdrew its ADI in 2022 citing data gaps
Made with refined wheat flour (maida) — high glycaemic index, negligible fibre
Contains nature-identical flavouring substance of unspecified identity
Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) with six distinct food additives

Who should approach with care

Gluten Intolerance — Refined wheat flour (maida) contains gluten (gliadin and glutenin), which triggers an autoimmune intestinal response in celiac disease and causes symptoms in non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Sulfite Sensitivity — Sodium metabisulfite (E223) releases sulfur dioxide and can provoke severe hypersensitivity reactions — including bronchoconstriction and anaphylaxis — even at low dietary exposures, as documented in FDA adverse-reaction reports.

Infants — Multiple ingredients are inappropriate for infants: refined palm/palmolein oil contaminants (GE, 3-MCPD) pose the greatest relative risk at this age group per EFSA; black salt and iodised salt impose excessive sodium load on immature kidneys; and added glucose syrup is not recommended under 12 months.

Diabetes — Liquid glucose (high-GI glucose syrup) and sucrose both cause rapid postprandial blood glucose spikes, and the high-GI refined wheat flour base further impairs glycaemic control in individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Kidney Disease — Disodium diphosphate (E450i) and dicalcium phosphate (E341ii) are highly bioavailable phosphate additives that EFSA explicitly warns are contraindicated in moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction; the very high sodium content (1,065 mg/100g) compounds fluid and electrolyte risks.

Hypertension — Sodium from iodised salt, black salt, sodium bicarbonate, and disodium diphosphate collectively deliver 1,065 mg sodium per 100g — well above WHO's guidance — worsening blood pressure control in hypertensive individuals.

Heart Disease — High saturated fat from palm/palmolein oil and butter (13 g/100g), very high sodium (1,065 mg/100g), and elevated dietary phosphate from E341ii and E450i all independently increase cardiovascular risk.

Children — EFSA identifies children as most exposed relative to body weight to GE/3-MCPD (palm oil), phosphate additives (E341ii, E450i), sulfites (E223), and nature-identical flavourings; regular consumption of this ultra-processed snack displaces more nutritious foods.

Pregnancy — Refined palm/palmolein oil contributes genotoxic GE contaminants cautioned against in pregnancy by EFSA; nature-identical flavouring substances are flagged as a sensitive-population concern; and high sodium may contribute to gestational oedema.

Lactation — EFSA flags lactating women as a sensitive population for nature-identical flavouring substances due to potential transfer of lipophilic compounds to breast milk; iodised salt may also be insufficient to meet elevated iodine requirements without supplementation.

Lactose Intolerance — Milk solids and butter both contribute lactose; highly sensitive individuals may experience bloating, cramps, or diarrhoea, and the product carries a declared milk allergen warning.

Ibs — Refined wheat flour (high-fructan FODMAP), dehydrated chives (high-FODMAP allium), sucrose, and the osmotic effect of liquid glucose can each exacerbate bloating, cramping, and altered bowel habits in IBS.

Ibd — Sulfite compounds from E223 may irritate gastrointestinal mucosa; high sodium can aggravate systemic inflammation; and organosulfur compounds in chives may worsen symptoms during active IBD flares.

Liver Disease — High saturated fat from palm oil and butter can exacerbate hepatic steatosis in NAFLD or other chronic liver conditions; ammonium bicarbonate (E503ii) releases ammonia and warrants caution where hepatic ammonia clearance is impaired.

Thyroid Disease — Iodised salt adds dietary iodine that can precipitate iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis or worsen Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease in individuals with pre-existing thyroid conditions.

Elderly — Age-related decline in renal function reduces phosphate clearance, making high dietary phosphate additive intake from E450i and E341ii a heightened risk for adverse systemic effects in older adults.

Gout — Liquid glucose (glucose syrup) contributes free sugars that can elevate serum uric acid levels, potentially triggering or worsening gout episodes in susceptible individuals.

Phenylketonuria — Refined wheat flour and milk solids both supply phenylalanine-containing proteins; individuals with PKU must account for their cumulative phenylalanine contribution within a strictly controlled low-phenylalanine diet.

The full analysis

A popular tea-time cracker bought for its buttery, tangy flavour, 50-50 Maska Chaska is an ultra-processed NOVA 4 product whose per-100g nutrition panel (from the label) tells a sharply different story than the reassuringly small per-serving figures: 1,065 mg sodium, 13 g saturated fat, and 26.5 g total fat per 100g. The biscuit contains refined maida, refined palm and palmolein oils carrying EFSA-flagged process contaminants (GE and 3-MCPD), sodium metabisulfite (a sulfite preservative whose ADI was withdrawn by EFSA in 2022), and a nature-identical flavouring substance of unspecified identity. The single most useful thing a curious consumer should know is that eating even half a pack (≈6 biscuits, 25g) delivers roughly 266 mg sodium — about 13% of WHO's daily adult limit — from what is typically perceived as a light snack.

FSSAI licence

10015043001129

Manufacturer

Britannia Industries Ltd.

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched