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Amul

Amul Cheese Spread Spicy Garlic

Name: Amul Cheese Spread Spicy Garlic
Brand: Amul

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4zero added sugarhigh sodiumultra-processedhigh saturated fatcontains preservativeslactose-freeinfant-safegluten-freediabetic-safenut-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

20 g

Pack

200 g

Ingredients

Barcode

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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, 331, 471)Caution

Cleared 5▾

Milk solidsCleared

CheeseCleared

Iodized saltCleared

Garlic powderCleared

Preservatives (200, 234)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.

0/4

claims fully supported

“Simply delicious”unverified

A subjective sensory claim; no nutritional or compositional data can confirm or contradict it.

“Spread. Bake. Dip.”unverified

A usage-instruction suggestion rather than a factual claim; cannot be evaluated against nutrition or ingredient data.

“Made from 100% Pure Milk”misleading

The base ingredients (milk solids and cheese) are dairy-derived, but the product also contains multiple industrial additives — emulsifying salts (E452, E339, E331, E471) and preservatives (E200, E234) — that have no place in 'pure milk'. The '100% Pure Milk' framing implies an absence of non-milk ingredients that is contradicted by the ingredient list.

“The Taste of India”unverified

A brand tagline and subjective identity claim with no verifiable nutritional or compositional basis.

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 added sugar — all 12.8 g carbohydrate is natural lactose
Zero trans fat declared
Nisin (E234) is a naturally derived, non-synthetic antimicrobial peptide
Sorbic acid (E200) preservative has well-established safety record at permitted levels
Good protein density for a dairy spread (11.2 g/100 g)

Working against

Very high sodium: 900 mg/100 g (4,500 mg per 200 g pack)
High saturated fat: 13 g/100 g, 65% of total fat
Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): multiple industrial emulsifiers and preservatives
Contains E452 polyphosphates — EFSA flags excess intake may exceed ADI, especially in children
E471 may carry genotoxic glycidyl fatty acid ester contaminants if from hydrogenated oils
High cholesterol content: 60 mg/100 g

Who should approach with care

Hypertension — Sodium content is 900 mg/100 g; a 200 g pack delivers 1,800 mg sodium — well above WHO's 2,000 mg/day limit — with iodized salt, sodium citrate (E331), and sodium polyphosphate (E452) all contributing to the sodium load.

Kidney Disease — E452 polyphosphates carry an EFSA caution explicitly excluding individuals with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction; combined with high phosphorus from cheese and milk solids and a very high sodium load from iodized salt and sodium citrate, this product poses significant hyperphosphatemia and fluid-retention risk.

Heart Disease — High saturated fat (13 g/100 g), very high sodium (900 mg/100 g), E452 polyphosphates linked to vascular calcification, and E471 which may carry trans fatty acids if from hydrogenated oils, all combine to make this product unsuitable for those with cardiovascular disease.

Lactose Intolerance — Milk solids and cheese are primary ingredients; both contain lactose and may trigger bloating, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps in lactose-intolerant individuals.

Infants — The very high sodium content (900 mg/100 g) is inappropriate for infants whose kidneys are immature; iodized salt, E452 polyphosphates, and cheese-derived cow's milk proteins also carry infant-specific cautions under FSSAI and EFSA guidelines.

Children — EFSA found that phosphate additive exposure from products containing E452 may exceed the group ADI for children who regularly consume such foods; regular high intake of this sodium-dense product in children also raises blood-pressure concerns.

Pregnancy — Processed cheese is made from pasteurised milk and is generally safer than soft mould-ripened varieties, but the high sodium intake and concentrated garlic powder (with platelet-activity potential at high doses) warrant moderation during pregnancy.

Thyroid Disease — Iodized salt contributes dietary iodine; both excess and insufficient iodine can worsen thyroid dysfunction in individuals with hyperthyroidism or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and physician guidance on iodine load from daily processed-food intake is recommended.

Elderly — Age-related decline in renal clearance reduces the elderly's ability to excrete excess phosphate from E452 and sodium from iodized salt and sodium citrate, increasing risk of hyperphosphatemia and hypertension with regular consumption.

Ibs — Garlic powder (0.1%) is a high-FODMAP ingredient (fructans) that can trigger bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain in individuals with IBS or FODMAP sensitivity.

Ibd — Both E452 polyphosphates (adverse gut microbiome effects) and garlic powder (mucosal irritant at higher doses) may aggravate symptoms in individuals with active Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

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

Phenylketonuria — Milk solids and cheese are rich in phenylalanine-containing proteins (casein and whey); individuals with PKU must account for this contribution within their strictly controlled low-phenylalanine diet.

The full analysis

This product is a staple pantry item for Indian households looking for a convenient, flavoured cheese spread. While it is made from dairy-derived base ingredients, the addition of industrial emulsifying salts (E452, E331, E471), two classes of preservatives (E200, E234), and the high sodium content (900 mg/100 g — nearly half an adult's recommended daily intake from a 200 g pack) push it firmly into NOVA 4 ultra-processed territory. The all-sugars figure (12.8 g/100 g) entirely reflects natural lactose with zero added sugar, which is a genuine positive. The most useful thing a consumer should know is that the sodium load is very high and warrants attention for anyone with hypertension, heart disease, or kidney disease — a 40 g serving delivers 360 mg sodium, roughly 18% of the WHO daily limit. Note also: the ingredient dossier maps INS 339 to 'soy protein', but E339 / INS 339 is in fact sodium phosphates (an emulsifying salt); soy protein is not an ingredient in this product, and the label allergen declaration confirms only milk.

Manufacturer

Amul (Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.)

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched