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Britannia

Britannia Biscuits (Savoury Snacks/Namkeen)

Name: Britannia Biscuits (Savoury Snacks/Namkeen)
Brand: Britannia

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4ultra-processedhigh sodiumartificial colourpalm oilmultiple emulsifiershidden sugarsnut-freepregnancy-safelactose-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

15 g

Pack

75 g

Ingredients

Barcode

—

Buy on Brand site

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 · 14 ingredients shown

Caution14 of 23 ingredients

Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)Caution

Refined (Palmolein & Palm) OilCaution

SugarCaution

Spices & Condiments (Onion, Garlic, Red Chilli, Coriander and Cumin)Caution

Liquid GlucoseCaution

Invert Sugar SyrupCaution

Vital GlutenCaution

Natural and Nature Identical Flavouring SubstancesCaution

Emulsifiers [322(i) & 471]Caution

MaltodextrinCaution

Flavour Enhancers (627 & 631)Caution

Dough Conditioner (223)Caution

Stabilizer (1450)Caution

Colour (110)Caution

Cleared 9▾

Dehydrated Potato FlakesCleared

Iodised SaltCleared

Raising Agents [503(ii) & 500(ii)]Cleared

Milk SolidsCleared

Rice FlourCleared

Dry Mango PowderCleared

Acidity Regulators (330 & 334)Cleared

Anticaking Agent (551)Cleared

Improver [1101(i)]Cleared

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

FSSAI licensed and manufactured in India by an established brand
Zero trans fats declared on label
Contains real spices: onion, garlic, red chilli, coriander, cumin
Iodised salt provides some dietary iodine

Working against

Extremely high sodium: 1,221 mg per 100 g (≈916 mg per 75 g pack)
Contains Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) — linked to hyperactivity in children; mandatory warning in EU/UK
Sodium metabisulfite (E223) — known allergen trigger for asthmatics; EFSA withdrew ADI in 2022
Three hidden sugar sources; 14.3 g added sugar per 100 g
Palm and palmolein oil — refining generates genotoxic glycidyl esters (EFSA concern)
Purine-based flavour enhancers (E627, E631) — contraindicated in gout
Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) with 10+ food additives rarely found in home cooking
High saturated fat: 9 g per 100 g (~45% of fat content)

Who should approach with care

Infants — Product contains Sunset Yellow FCF (E110, banned from infant foods), liquid glucose, invert sugar syrup (all contra-indicated for infants under 12–24 months per WHO/FSSAI), iodised salt (contra-indicated in infant foods due to immature renal function), and sulfite preservative E223 which degrades thiamine critical for infant nutrition.

Children — Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) carries an EU/UK mandatory hyperactivity warning for children; high-percentile child exposure previously approached the former temporary ADI; compounded by high sodium, multiple added sugars, maltodextrin, palm oil GE contaminants, sodium metabisulfite, and red chilli — a combination placing children at heightened cumulative risk.

Diabetes — Refined wheat flour (GI ~70–74), liquid glucose (high-GI glucose syrup), invert sugar syrup (free glucose + fructose), maltodextrin (GI 85–136), and potato flakes all drive rapid postprandial blood glucose spikes, collectively making this product inappropriate for individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Gluten Intolerance — Contains both refined wheat flour (maida) and added vital wheat gluten as functional ingredients — the product is a direct and concentrated source of gluten proteins (gliadin and glutenin) that trigger autoimmune intestinal damage in coeliac disease; strict avoidance is required.

Sulfite Sensitivity — Sodium metabisulfite (E223) releases sulfur dioxide and is a well-documented trigger for severe bronchoconstriction, urticaria, and anaphylaxis in sulfite-sensitive individuals, including asthmatics, with over 700 FDA adverse-reaction reports on record.

Gout — Flavour enhancers E627 (disodium guanylate) and E631 (disodium inosinate) are purine nucleotides catabolised to uric acid; their combined presence in a snack-sized serving can measurably elevate serum urate and precipitate or worsen acute gout attacks.

Hypertension — At 1,221 mg sodium per 100 g (approximately 916 mg in the entire 75 g pack), this product alone can deliver more than half the WHO adult daily sodium limit of 2,000 mg, directly elevating blood pressure risk in hypertensive individuals.

Heart Disease — Very high sodium (1,221 mg/100 g), high saturated fat from palm and palmolein oils (9 g/100 g), free fructose from invert syrup elevating triglycerides, and E471 manufactured from palm fractions potentially carrying trans-fatty acid contaminants collectively pose a meaningful cardiovascular burden.

Kidney Disease — High sodium (1,221 mg/100 g) worsens sodium retention and fluid imbalance; purine-derived flavour enhancers (E627, E631) raise uric acid burden on compromised kidneys; sodium metabisulfite and citric acid also require adequate renal clearance, making this product inappropriate for those on renal dietary restrictions.

Pregnancy — Refined palm and palmolein oils contain EFSA-flagged genotoxic contaminants (glycidyl esters, 3-MCPD) warranting precautionary reduction during pregnancy; high sodium content, Sunset Yellow FCF (E110), and sodium metabisulfite (E223 — sulfite exposure concerns) compound the risk profile for pregnant women.

Lactation — High sodium intake from this product can cumulatively affect maternal dietary sodium balance; iodised salt in the context of high overall food sodium makes it difficult to achieve recommended iodine intake without exceeding sodium targets during lactation.

Liver Disease — Free fructose from invert sugar syrup is almost exclusively hepatically metabolised and promotes de novo lipogenesis, potentially worsening NAFLD; palm oil's high saturated fat content may further impair lipid metabolism in a compromised liver; ammonium hydrogen carbonate (E503ii) releases ammonia that reduced urea-cycle capacity cannot clear.

Thyroid Disease — Iodised salt contributes dietary iodine that can precipitate iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis or worsen autoimmune thyroid conditions (Hashimoto's, Graves') in individuals with pre-existing thyroid disorders; medical guidance on iodine intake is advised.

Epilepsy — Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) has been associated with neurobehavioural effects in animal studies; individuals with epilepsy or neurological conditions should consult a doctor before regular consumption of E110-containing products.

Ibs — Multiple IBS-aggravating ingredients are present: onion and garlic (high-fructan FODMAPs), red chilli (capsaicin-induced TRPV1 stimulation), maltodextrin (adversely alters gut microbiome), liquid glucose and invert syrup (osmotic fructose load), sodium metabisulfite (mucosal irritant), and citric acid (potential GI inflammatory trigger).

Ibd — Maltodextrin may promote colonisation by adherent-invasive E. coli and worsen gut mucosal inflammation in Crohn's or ulcerative colitis; onion, garlic, and red chilli may exacerbate flares; manufactured citric acid (E330) may trigger inflammatory cascades in susceptible individuals.

Lactose Intolerance — Milk solids are a declared ingredient and allergen; individuals with lactose intolerance may experience bloating, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps depending on the quantity of lactose present in the milk solids fraction.

Phenylketonuria — Both refined wheat flour and milk solids are significant sources of phenylalanine; individuals with phenylketonuria must account for the cumulative phenylalanine contribution from these ingredients within their strictly controlled low-phenylalanine diet.

Migraine — Onions (histamine and biogenic amines), red chilli (capsaicin — TRPV1-mediated neurogenic inflammation), and the spice blend collectively represent recognised dietary migraine triggers in susceptible individuals.

Other — Lecithin (E322i) sourced from soy may contain residual soy proteins posing a risk for soy-allergic individuals; disodium inosinate (E631) may be animal/fish-derived and is unsuitable for strict vegetarians or vegans unless source-certified; individuals with asthma or azo-dye sensitivity face histamine-release risk from E110.

The full analysis

These biscuits are a typical mass-market Indian savoury snack purchased as an everyday munching product, but they come with a significant health burden that most consumers will not spot from a quick glance at the front of pack. The most important single fact to know: at 1,221 mg sodium per 100 g (over half an adult's daily WHO limit in just 75 g of product), this is an extremely high-sodium food, and that figure is compounded by hidden sugars from three separate sources (liquid glucose, invert sugar syrup, and maltodextrin) totalling 14.3 g added sugar per 100 g. The synthetic azo dye Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) carries a mandatory EU/UK children's hyperactivity warning, and the sulfite preservative sodium metabisulfite (E223) is a known trigger for asthma and allergic reactions. The combination of refined palm oils, emulsifiers (E471, E1450), flavour enhancers based on purine nucleotides (E627, E631), and a colour that is banned or restricted in multiple jurisdictions outside India makes this a product ultra-processed by every applicable definition — one that parents, people with diabetes, hypertension, or gout should treat with particular care.

FSSAI licence

10015043001129

Manufacturer

Britannia Industries Ltd.

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched