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Cadbury

Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel

Name: Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel
Brand: Cadbury

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4ultra-processedhigh sugarhigh saturated fatcontains palm oilsustainably sourced cocoafairtrade certifiedpregnancy-safenut-freegluten-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

20 g

Pack

120 g

Ingredients

Barcode

7622201726485

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 · 6 ingredients shown

Caution6 of 13 ingredients

sugarCaution

glucose syrupCaution

vegetable fats (palm, shea)Caution

glucose-fructose syrupE420Caution

emulsifiers (E442, E471, E476)Caution

saltCaution

Cleared 7▾

MilkCleared

cocoa butterCleared

cocoa massCleared

sodium carbonateE500(i)Cleared

flavouringsCleared

whey powder (from milk)Cleared

caramel centreCleared

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.

2/3

claims fully supported

“100% Sustainably Sourced Cocoa”true

The Cocoa Life certification is listed in certifications and the cocoalife.org website is printed on pack; this is a recognised third-party sustainability programme.

“Thanks to Cocoa Life we are helping farms to protect the forests around them”unverified

Cadbury's participation in the Cocoa Life programme is confirmed, but specific deforestation-protection outcomes for the farms supplying this batch cannot be verified from the available product data.

“Partnering with Fairtrade Foundation”true

Fairtrade Foundation is explicitly listed in the product's certifications field, confirming an active partnership.

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

Cocoa Life certification: 100% sustainably sourced cocoa
Fairtrade Foundation partnership verified
Resealable packaging supports portion control
Milk solids at 23% actual, providing some dairy calcium

Working against

Very high sugar: 48 g per 100 g (53% of adult daily limit per serving pack)
Very high saturated fat: 14 g per 100 g, 70% of adult daily reference intake
Contains palm oil — linked to genotoxic process contaminants (GE, 3-MCPD)
Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): three synthetic emulsifiers plus industrial syrups
No FSSAI licence number declared — regulatory traceability gap for Indian market
Unspecified 'flavourings' with no transparency on natural vs. artificial

Who should approach with care

Diabetes — The product contains sucrose, glucose syrup, and glucose-fructose syrup — multiple rapidly-absorbed free sugars that cause sharp postprandial blood glucose spikes, making it inappropriate for individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Infants — Multiple ingredients are contraindicated for infants: glucose syrup and caramel centre (added sugars inappropriate under 12 months), cocoa mass (caffeine and theobromine the infant liver cannot metabolise), palm oil (genotoxic GE contaminants), and sorbitol (laxative threshold very low in infants).

Children — High free-sugar content drives dental caries and excess weight gain (WHO/EFSA); emulsifiers E442 and E471 can approach ADI exceedance at high relative exposure in toddlers; cocoa mass cadmium burden can reach 60–63% of EFSA's provisional tolerable weekly intake in young children.

Pregnancy — Palm oil introduces genotoxic GE and 3-MCPD contaminants at a nutritionally critical period; cocoa mass contributes caffeine and theobromine (EFSA advises <200 mg/day total caffeine in pregnancy); PGPR (E476) has a residual reproductive safety uncertainty noted by EFSA.

Lactation — Unspecified flavourings are identified by EFSA as requiring separate safety consideration for lactating women, as transfer of certain flavouring substances to breast milk cannot be excluded.

Heart Disease — The product is high in saturated fat (14 g/100 g from cocoa butter, palm oil, shea butter, and dairy) and free sugars — both established dietary risk factors for cardiovascular disease; E471 manufactured from hydrogenated oils may also carry trans fatty acids.

Hypertension — Sodium from salt and sodium carbonate contributes to dietary sodium load, and high free-sugar intake is independently linked to elevated blood pressure and metabolic syndrome.

Kidney Disease — Milk, whey powder, and cocoa mass contribute phosphorus, potassium, and oxalates that must typically be restricted in CKD; sodium carbonate and salt add to sodium load that impaired kidneys cannot efficiently excrete.

Lactose Intolerance — Milk, whey powder (retaining ~70% lactose), and caramel centre (containing milk solids) collectively deliver a meaningful lactose dose likely to trigger gastrointestinal symptoms.

Ibs — Sorbitol (glucose-fructose syrup alias in the ingredient dossier) is a high-FODMAP polyol that reliably triggers bloating and cramping in IBS; additional FODMAP load from lactose in milk/whey and high osmotic sugar content compounds the risk.

Ibd — Emulsifiers E442 and E471 may adversely affect intestinal microbiota and gut barrier integrity; high-fat content from cocoa butter, palm oil, and shea butter may also exacerbate fat malabsorption in active inflammatory bowel disease.

Nut Allergy — Shea butter is derived from the shea tree seed and may trigger cross-reactivity in individuals with tree-nut allergies; the label also declares 'may contain nuts,' adding a direct precautionary allergen warning.

Gout — Glucose-fructose syrup and glucose syrup in the caramel centre contribute fructose, which elevates serum uric acid production and may trigger or worsen gout episodes in susceptible individuals.

Migraine — Cocoa mass contains phenylethylamine and theobromine, both recognised dietary migraine triggers in susceptible individuals.

Phenylketonuria — Whey powder is a complete protein containing phenylalanine; individuals with PKU must account for all protein sources, including dairy-derived whey, within their medically prescribed phenylalanine allowance.

The full analysis

Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel is a widely purchased mainstream chocolate bar that appeals to consumers looking for an indulgent treat. Per 100 g it delivers 483 kcal, 48 g of sugars, and 14 g of saturated fat — well above WHO thresholds for free sugars in a single sitting — making it unsuitable for frequent consumption by people managing diabetes, heart disease, or weight. The product is ultra-processed (NOVA 4) by virtue of three distinct emulsifiers, two glucose-based syrups, vegetable fats including palm oil, and unspecified flavourings; its Cocoa Life and Fairtrade certifications are genuine positives for sourcing transparency, but they do not change its nutritional profile. The single most useful thing a curious consumer should know is that a full 120 g bar contains more than 57 g of sugar — roughly 63% of an adult's entire recommended daily limit.

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched