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Epigamia

Artisanal Mishti Doi

Name: Artisanal Mishti Doi
Brand: Epigamia

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4high added sugarcontains colourlow lactoseno preservativesultra-processedcontains trans fatinfant-safegluten-freenut-freepregnancy-safeenjoy in moderation

Serving

80 g

Pack

80 g

Ingredients

Barcode

8906059638329

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 · 2 ingredients shown

Caution2 of 5 ingredients

SugarCaution

Colour (INS 150a)Caution

Cleared 3▾

Low Lactose Full Cream Milk (Milk, Milk Solids, Enzyme (B-galactosidase))Cleared

Flavour (Natural Flavouring Substances)Cleared

Permitted Lactic Acid CultureCleared

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

“Artisanal”misleading

The product contains INS 150a (synthetic caramel colour) and 'Natural Flavouring Substances', which are industrial additives inconsistent with artisanal production. True artisanal Mishti Doi is made with milk, sugar, and starter culture only.

“Lactose Free”misleading

The ingredient list names the base as 'Low Lactose Full Cream Milk' — not lactose-free milk. The label caveat states 'Lactose <0.1%', which sits at the FSSAI threshold for a lactose-free claim; however, using low-lactose (rather than certified lactose-free) milk means residual lactose cannot be ruled out for highly sensitive individuals.

“No Preservatives”true

No preservative additives (e.g., sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sorbic acid) appear in the ingredient list. Lactic acid culture is a fermentation starter, not a chemical preservative. The claim is supported by the 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

Good source of calcium — 76 mg per 100 g (8% RDA per serving)
Lactose reduced to <0.1%, suitable for most lactose-sensitive individuals
No chemical preservatives in ingredient list
Provides live lactic acid cultures (fermented dairy)

Working against

Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) — contains food colour and flavouring additives
High added sugar: 12 g per 80 g serving (24% daily RDA)
Contains trans fat (0.2 g/100 g) — no safe level per WHO
Caramel colour INS 150a: EFSA flagged potential ADI exceedance in children
Marketed as 'Artisanal' despite containing industrial food additives
'Lactose Free' claim overstated — base milk is 'low lactose', not fully lactose-free

Who should approach with care

Diabetes — Each 80 g serving delivers 12 g of added sucrose, which causes rapid postprandial blood glucose spikes; the caramel colour also indicates sugar-derived processing, making this product inappropriate for individuals managing blood glucose.

Children — High added sugar (24% daily RDA per small pack) and the presence of INS 150a caramel colour, which EFSA warned could exceed the group ADI in children who are high consumers, make this product unsuitable for regular consumption by young children.

Heart Disease — Contains 0.2 g trans fat per 100 g and 12 g added sugar per serving; both are independently associated with elevated cardiometabolic and cardiovascular risk per WHO guidance.

Hypertension — Excess sugar intake is linked to raised blood pressure via cardiometabolic pathways; the 12 g added sugar per serving warrants caution in individuals with existing hypertension.

Lactose Intolerance — The product uses 'low lactose' (not lactose-free) milk; while lactose is reported as <0.1%, highly lactose-sensitive individuals should be aware that residual lactose may still trigger symptoms, as EFSA notes individual thresholds vary.

Infants — Cow's milk proteins (casein, whey) are retained in full and represent a leading allergen risk for infants; FSSAI and FDA guidance advise against unmodified cow's milk dairy products for children under 12 months without medical supervision.

Kidney Disease — Milk and milk solids contribute significant phosphorus and potassium, both of which typically require dietary restriction in chronic kidney disease; excess sugar also accelerates CKD progression.

Ibs — Residual lactose from low-lactose milk, high sucrose content, and caramel colour additives can each individually exacerbate IBS symptoms including bloating, cramping, and altered bowel habits.

Ibd — IBD patients, particularly those with Crohn's disease, frequently have secondary lactase deficiency and may react to residual lactose in low-lactose (as distinct from lactose-free) dairy products.

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

The full analysis

Mishti Doi is a beloved Bengali sweetened curd, and Epigamia's version targets convenience-seeking urban consumers who want a ready-to-eat dairy dessert. The product is not as clean as its 'artisanal' positioning implies: it contains a synthetic caramel colour (INS 150a) and added flavouring substances, which together push it into NOVA 4 ultra-processed territory. Added sugar contributes 12 g per 80 g pack — 24% of the daily RDA for added sugars in a single small pot — and a detectable 0.2 g/100 g of trans fat is a further concern. The 'Lactose Free' claim sits on shaky ground: the milk used is 'low lactose,' and while the label notes lactose is <0.1%, highly sensitive individuals should treat this as near-threshold rather than truly zero. The most useful thing a curious consumer should know is that despite its artisanal branding, this is a sugar-heavy, additive-coloured ultra-processed dessert that should be treated as an occasional treat rather than a wholesome daily dairy choice.

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched