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Bikaji

Badam Laccha Pancharatna

Name: Badam Laccha Pancharatna
Brand: Bikaji

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4ultra-processedno artificial coloursno artificial sweetenersdeep friedcontains tree nutslactose-freegluten-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

26 g

Pack

—

Ingredients

Barcode

8902055034211

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 · 7 ingredients shown

Caution7 of 13 ingredients

Potato SticksCaution

Edible Vegetable Oil (Palmolein Oil, Cottonseed Oil)Caution

Cashew NutCaution

Sesame SeedsCaution

SugarCaution

Red ChilliCaution

Fennel SeedsCaution

Cleared 6▾

RaisinsCleared

AlmondsCleared

Curry LeavesCleared

Iodised SaltCleared

Acidity Regulator (INS 330)Cleared

CuminCleared

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.

2/4

claims fully supported

“Authentic Made in Bikaner”true

FSSAI license nos. 10012013000346 and 10016013001074 are both registered to Bikaji Foods International Ltd. at Bikaner, Rajasthan addresses, confirming manufacture in Bikaner.

“Vocal for Local”unverified

This is a promotional/patriotic marketing slogan referencing an Indian government campaign; no objective criterion exists against which to verify it, and it makes no falsifiable product-quality assertion.

“An ensemble of crunchy fried potato sticks, cashews, almonds and raisins snack mixture”true

Ingredient list confirms fried potato sticks (66%), cashew nut (6%), almonds (6%), and raisins (8%), and the product description in rawLabelData uses identical language. The claim accurately describes the product composition.

“Fruit and vegetable based snacks”misleading

While the product does contain raisins (a dried fruit, 8%) and potato sticks (a vegetable derivative, 66%), those potato sticks are deep-fried in refined oils and constitute the vast majority of the product. The framing implies a health-oriented, produce-forward product, whereas this is primarily a deep-fried, oil-heavy snack with an industrial acidity regulator, classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4).

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

Contains real whole nuts — almonds (6%) and cashews (6%)
Contains raisins, a source of natural potassium and polyphenols
Zero trans fat declared per label
No artificial colours or flavours listed
No artificial sweeteners used
FSSAI licensed; manufactured in India under regulated conditions

Working against

Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): contains industrial acidity regulator INS 330
Fried in palmolein oil — high saturated fat, process contaminant (GE, 3-MCPD) concerns
Dominant ingredient (66%) is deep-fried potato sticks — acrylamide (IARC Group 2A) source
High fat per 100g (31g total, 8g saturated) from deep frying
Contains cottonseed oil — high omega-6, gossypol residue concern in unregulated sources
Cross-contamination risk: facility processes peanut, soy, milk, gluten, mustard, sulfites

Who should approach with care

Infants — Multiple ingredients flag this product for infants: iodised salt must be avoided due to immature renal function; fennel seeds contain estragole (EFSA-identified genotoxin, avoid-level for infants); fried potato sticks carry the highest per-body-weight acrylamide exposure risk; and whole nuts and raisins are choking hazards.

Children — Children are disproportionately exposed to acrylamide from fried potato products (EFSA 2015), face elevated process-contaminant (GE, 3-MCPD) risk from refined palm oil, and EMA advises avoiding fennel seed preparations up to age 4; added sugar and citric acid also contribute to dental-caries risk.

Pregnancy — Fennel seeds contain estragole, which EFSA's 2025 draft opinion identifies as a fetal risk when consumed by pregnant women; acrylamide from fried potato sticks is a developmental toxicant in animal studies; and iodised salt requires clinician-guided iodine management during pregnancy.

Lactation — EFSA's 2025 draft opinion and EMA both advise against fennel seed preparations for lactating women because estragole may transfer to breastfed infants; iodine intake from iodised salt also requires medical supervision during lactation to avoid infant over- or under-exposure.

Diabetes — Sucrose (added sugar ingredient) is rapidly hydrolysed to glucose and fructose, causing sharp postprandial blood glucose spikes; fried potato sticks have a high glycaemic index; and raisins contribute ~25g natural sugars per 43g, all compounding glycaemic management challenges.

Hypertension — Sodium from iodised salt reaches 445mg/100g (116mg per serving), and the high saturated fat content from palmolein and cottonseed oil further compounds cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals.

Heart Disease — Deep-frying in palmolein (high saturated palmitic acid) and cottonseed oil (high omega-6) contributes to adverse lipid profiles; high saturated fat (8g/100g) and acrylamide from fried potato sticks compound cardiovascular risk for individuals with pre-existing heart disease.

Kidney Disease — High sodium (445mg/100g), potassium (774mg/100g), oxalates from almonds and cashews, and phosphorus from sesame seeds all require tight restriction in chronic kidney disease; iodine from iodised salt also carries renal clearance concerns.

Liver Disease — Cottonseed oil carries residual gossypol hepatotoxin risk (consult-level per dossier), and capsaicin from red chilli is metabolised by hepatic CYP2E1 into reactive electrophilic intermediates, placing additional burden on a compromised liver.

Thyroid Disease — Excess iodine from iodised salt can precipitate iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis or worsen autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's or Graves' disease; individuals with thyroid disorders should seek medical guidance on total dietary iodine intake.

Epilepsy — Fennel seeds contain fenchone, which has reported convulsant properties in animal studies; individuals with epilepsy or seizure disorders should consult a physician before regular consumption.

Nut Allergy — The product contains almonds and cashew nuts — both globally recognised major tree-nut allergens under FALCPA, EU Regulation 1169/2011, and FSSAI; the facility also processes other tree nuts, creating a cross-contact risk for severely allergic individuals.

Ibs — Multiple IBS triggers are present: high-fat fried potato sticks accelerate gastrocolic reflex; raisins are high-FODMAP; capsaicin from red chilli stimulates TRPV1 GI receptors; sucrose may cause fermentation; and manufactured citric acid may worsen GI symptoms in susceptible individuals.

Ibd — Capsaicin-induced mucosal irritation from red chilli and the high omega-6 content of cottonseed oil may promote intestinal inflammation and worsen Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis flares.

Gout — Raisins carry a high fructose load that may promote uric acid production, and sesame seeds contain moderate purines; both warrant caution for individuals with gout or hyperuricaemia.

Migraine — Capsaicin from red chilli is a well-recognised dietary migraine trigger via TRPV1-mediated neurogenic inflammation and sensory nerve sensitisation in susceptible individuals.

Sulfite Sensitivity — Raisins are commonly treated with sulfur dioxide (SO2) as a preservative; the facility also processes sulfites, creating a cross-contact risk; sulfite-sensitive individuals may experience respiratory symptoms or hives.

The full analysis

Bikaji's Badam Laccha Pancharatna is a popular Indian namkeen bought as a party snack or everyday munch, combining the crunch of fried potato sticks with the wholesome appeal of nuts and dried fruit. Despite the presence of real almonds, cashews, and raisins, the product is classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) because it contains an industrial acidity regulator (INS 330), and is fried in palmolein and cottonseed oils — both refined vegetable oils linked to process contaminants and saturated-fat concerns. The most important thing a curious consumer should know is that the 'fruit and vegetable based snacks' framing is misleading: two-thirds of the product is deep-fried potato sticks, and the overall profile — elevated acrylamide risk, refined frying oils, and an industrial additive — means this is an occasional treat rather than a nutritious fruit-and-nut mix.

FSSAI licence

10012013000346

Manufacturer

Bikaji Foods International Ltd.

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched