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Chheda's

Bhel Mix

Name: Bhel Mix
Brand: Chheda's

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 3high sodiumhigh saturated fatno artificial additiveshigh fibercontains palmolein oilvegetarianpregnancy-safediabetic-safeinfant-safelactose-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

130 g

Pack

—

Ingredients

Barcode

8904071702462

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 · 4 ingredients shown

Caution4 of 8 ingredients

Puffed RiceCaution

Wheat FlourCaution

Palmolein OilCaution

PeanutsCaution

Cleared 3▾

Gram FlourCleared

Bengal GramCleared

Curry LeavesCleared

Unknown 1▾

Mix SpicesUnknown

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.

2/5

claims fully supported

“Roasted puffed rice mixed with peanuts, gram flour & fine noodles”misleading

The declared ingredient list contains puffed rice, gram flour, wheat flour, palmolein oil, peanuts, bengal gram, curry leaves, and mixed spices. No 'fine noodles' appear as a distinct ingredient; wheat flour is present but is not labelled as noodles. The product description may refer to sev (gram-flour noodles) made from gram flour/wheat flour that is extruded then fried, but this is not explicitly declared on the ingredient list provided.

“Indian Traditional Snacks”true

Bhel mix is a well-established traditional Indian namkeen category; the product's ingredient composition (puffed rice, peanuts, gram flour, curry leaves, spices) is consistent with traditional bhel preparations.

“Always A Bite Better”unverified

This is a subjective brand slogan. No nutritional, sensory, or comparative data is provided in any of the four data sources to substantiate a superiority claim.

“Suitable for Vegetarians”true

The product is registered as 'veg' in EXTRA INFORMATION and all ingredients are plant-derived with no animal-derived components detected.

“Keep your city clean”unverified

This is an environmental civic message on the pack, not a product attribute claim. No data is available to evaluate it as a product 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

No artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives listed
Contains dietary fibre (~10 g per 100 g)
Good protein contribution from peanuts and legume flours (~13 g per 100 g)
FSSAI licensed and ISO 22000 certified manufacturer
Simple, recognisable whole-food ingredient list
Vegetarian certified

Working against

Extremely high sodium: ~1,300 mg per 130 g serving
Very high saturated fat: ~26 g per 130 g serving, exceeds daily upper limit
Contains palmolein oil — high in saturated palmitic acid
High glycaemic index from puffed rice base
Peanuts present — major allergen, anaphylaxis risk
Wheat flour present — celiac / gluten-intolerance risk

Who should approach with care

Hypertension — A single 130 g serving provides approximately 1,300 mg of sodium — more than half the WHO recommended daily limit of 2,000 mg — posing a serious risk of blood pressure elevation in individuals with hypertension.

Heart Disease — Approximately 26 g of saturated fat per serving (from palmolein oil), driven by palmitic acid, can significantly raise LDL cholesterol and compound cardiovascular risk in individuals with existing heart disease.

Gluten Intolerance — Wheat flour is a declared ingredient, making this product unsuitable for individuals with coeliac disease or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity; EFSA confirms gluten triggers immune-mediated intestinal damage in this group.

Nut Allergy — Peanuts are a primary ingredient and the product is manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts; even trace exposure can trigger anaphylaxis in peanut-sensitised individuals.

Diabetes — Puffed rice has a high glycaemic index (~82–87) and can cause rapid postprandial blood glucose spikes; the high fat content also contributes significant caloric load, making portion control critical for individuals with diabetes.

Infants — Multiple ingredients raise concern for infants: puffed rice carries inorganic arsenic risk (FDA and EFSA action levels), palmolein oil contributes glycidyl ester contaminants, and wheat gluten introduction should be under paediatric guidance.

Children — Children have higher body-weight-relative exposure to inorganic arsenic from puffed rice and process contaminants (GE, 3-MCPD) from refined palmolein oil, per EFSA and FDA risk assessments; high sodium content is also inappropriate for regular consumption in children.

Pregnancy — Inorganic arsenic from puffed rice and process contaminants (GE, 3-MCPD) from refined palmolein oil raise developmental safety concerns; public health agencies advise pregnant women to diversify grain intake and moderate refined palm oil consumption.

Kidney Disease — The product is high in sodium (~1,300 mg/serving), phosphorus-rich legumes (gram flour, bengal gram), and protein — all of which require careful restriction in chronic kidney disease; a dietitian review is essential before consumption.

Ibs — Both gram flour and bengal gram are high in fermentable oligosaccharides (FODMAPs), which can trigger bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.

Ibd — The high insoluble fibre content from bengal gram and gram flour may worsen gastrointestinal symptoms during active inflammatory bowel disease flares; tolerance is highly individual.

Liver Disease — Peanuts can harbour aflatoxin B1 (IARC Group 1 hepatocarcinogen) when improperly stored; this mycotoxin is particularly hepatotoxic and poses elevated risk to individuals with pre-existing liver conditions.

Gout — Bengal gram contains moderate levels of purines that can contribute to elevated uric acid levels and precipitate gout attacks in susceptible individuals.

The full analysis

Chheda's Bhel Mix is a popular grab-and-go Indian namkeen bought by consumers seeking an authentic, shelf-stable snack with familiar bhel flavours. While the ingredient list is reassuringly short and free of artificial additives, preservatives, or added colours, the product's nutrition profile raises significant red flags: a single 130 g serving delivers roughly 1,300 mg of sodium (more than half the WHO recommended daily limit) and approximately 26 g of saturated fat (exceeding the typical daily upper limit in one sitting), driven by a heavy palmolein oil load. The most useful thing a curious consumer should know is that despite its 'traditional snack' positioning, the fat and sodium levels in one serving rival those of many ultra-processed junk foods — moderation and portion control are essential.

FSSAI licence

11512018000919

Manufacturer

Chheda Specialities Foods Pvt. Ltd.

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched