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Amul

Amul Cheese A+ Slices

Name: Amul Cheese A+ Slices
Brand: Amul

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4no artificial coloursvegetarian certifiedultra-processedcontains emulsifiersrefrigerated dairylactose-freeinfant-safegluten-freediabetic-safenut-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

20 g

Pack

400 g

Ingredients

Barcode

8901262020404

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 · 1 ingredient shown

Caution1 of 6 ingredients

Emulsifying salts (452, 339, 341, 331)Caution

Cleared 5▾

CheeseCleared

Milk solidsCleared

Iodized saltCleared

Preservatives (200, 234)Cleared

Natural colour [160a(ii)]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.

1/5

claims fully supported

“Power of Protein”unverified

No protein values (per serving or per 100 g) are available in the product data; the claim cannot be quantitatively evaluated from any of the four sources.

“2 Slices = 1 Glass of Milk”unverified

The label footnote clarifies this refers specifically to protein content (2 slices = protein in 200 mL cow's milk per Indian Food Composition Tables 2017). However, no protein figures for the slices are available in the nutrition panel or extra information to confirm the arithmetic; the equivalence claim cannot be validated with the data provided.

“A+”unverified

Listed as a variant descriptor on the product; no regulatory definition or independent quality certification for 'A+' is present in any of the four data sources. May refer to A2 milk or a quality tier — unconfirmed.

“100% Vegetarian”true

vegetarianStatus is confirmed as 'veg' in EXTRA INFORMATION; FSSAI license is present; no non-vegetarian ingredient appears in the ingredient list. Rennet in the base cheese is not specified, but the product carries a vegetarian declaration.

“Processed Cheese Spread”misleading

The product description field in EXTRA INFORMATION reads 'Processed Cheese Spread'; however, the product name and packaging describe it as slices ('20 pieces x 20 g'). The use of emulsifying salts is consistent with processed cheese regulation under FSSAI. The descriptor 'spread' may be a label categorisation for regulatory purposes rather than a texture claim.

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

Uses natural colour (beta-carotene, E160a[ii]) — no artificial colour
FSSAI licensed (No. 10012021000071) — regulatory compliance confirmed
Certified vegetarian per FSSAI green-dot convention
Natural bacteriocin nisin (E234) used instead of synthetic preservatives
Iodized salt provides dietary iodine, supporting thyroid health at normal intake

Working against

NOVA 4 ultra-processed: six additives including emulsifying salts and preservatives
Multiple sodium-contributing additives (salt, sodium citrate, sodium polyphosphate) — likely high in sodium
Polyphosphates (E452) may adversely affect kidneys and gut microbiome at regular intake
All nutrition values missing — consumers cannot verify protein, fat, or sodium content from label data
Saturated fat from cheese and milk solids relevant for heart and weight management
Not suitable as a low-sodium or heart-friendly option given additive profile

Who should approach with care

Kidney Disease — Combination of polyphosphates (E452, where the EFSA group ADI explicitly does not apply to those with renal dysfunction), sodium citrate (E331), iodized salt, and naturally high phosphorus/potassium in cheese and milk solids creates a significant hyperphosphatemia and fluid-retention risk in CKD patients.

Hypertension — Iodized salt, sodium citrate (E331), and sodium polyphosphate (E452) all contribute to total sodium intake; WHO recommends limiting total salt to under 5 g/day for adults with hypertension, and processed cheese is a recognised high-sodium food.

Heart Disease — Saturated fat from cheese and milk solids can raise LDL-cholesterol, while cumulative sodium from multiple additives and iodized salt may worsen blood pressure and fluid retention in cardiovascular disease patients.

Infants — High sodium, polyphosphates, a food colour (E160a[ii] prohibited in EU infant foods), and milk protein allergen risk all make this product unsuitable for infants without medical guidance; iodine levels from iodized salt are also inappropriate for very young infants.

Lactose Intolerance — Cheese and milk solids both contain residual lactose; processed cheese made from younger/softer base cheese retains more lactose than long-aged hard varieties, and may trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in lactose-intolerant individuals.

Thyroid Disease — Iodized salt contributes dietary iodine; both excess and insufficient iodine can worsen hyperthyroidism or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and individuals with thyroid conditions should seek physician guidance on total dietary iodine from all processed food sources.

Children — EFSA found that estimated phosphate additive exposure from E452 may exceed the group ADI for children who regularly consume phosphate-containing foods; regular processed cheese consumption in children warrants monitoring of total phosphate intake.

Elderly — Age-related decline in renal clearance reduces phosphate and sodium excretion; the combined sodium and polyphosphate load from processed cheese poses a greater hyperphosphatemia and blood-pressure risk in older adults.

Pregnancy — Pasteurised processed cheese is generally safer than raw/soft-mould-ripened varieties during pregnancy, but iodine intake from iodized salt should be monitored (WHO recommends 250 µg/day total) and beta-carotene contribution to total vitamin A should remain within safe limits.

Ibd — Polyphosphates (E452) may adversely alter gut microbiome composition and encourage harmful bacterial growth, potentially exacerbating inflammatory conditions in individuals with IBD.

Phenylketonuria — Milk solids contain phenylalanine-rich proteins (casein and whey); individuals with PKU must carefully account for the phenylalanine contribution from this product within their strictly controlled low-phenylalanine diet.

Migraine — Fermented cheese is a recognised dietary source of tyramine, a biogenic amine associated with triggering migraines in susceptible individuals.

The full analysis

Amul Cheese A+ Slices are a widely purchased refrigerated dairy snack used in sandwiches, toasts, and children's meals across India. While the core ingredients — cheese and milk solids — bring genuine dairy nutrition (protein, calcium, fat-soluble vitamins), the product earns NOVA 4 ultra-processed status because it relies on a cocktail of emulsifying salts (E452, E339, E341, E331), preservatives (E200, E234), and a colour (E160a[ii]) that go well beyond home-kitchen processing. All nutrition values were absent from the product data, so quantitative claims about protein or milk equivalence cannot be verified from available information. The most useful takeaway: this is a convenient, FSSAI-registered vegetarian dairy product that is fine in moderation for healthy adults, but people with kidney disease, hypertension, or heart conditions should watch their cumulative sodium and phosphate load from processed cheese.

FSSAI licence

10012021000071

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched