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Cadbury

Cadbury Shots

Name: Cadbury Shots
Brand: Cadbury

Avoid SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4ultra-processedhigh sugarartificial colourscontains trans fathigh saturated fatlactose-freepregnancy-safenut-freegluten-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

3.2 g

Pack

185.6 g

Ingredients

Barcode

7622202307195

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.

Avoid · 1 ingredient shown

Avoid1 of 10 ingredients

Hydrogenated OilAvoid

Caution 5▾

SugarCaution

Emulsifiers (442, 476)Caution

MaltodextrinCaution

Colours (102, 133, 122, 110)Caution

Flavours (Natural, Nature Identical and Artificial (Caramel and Vanilla) Flavouring Substances)Caution

Cleared 4▾

Milk SolidsCleared

Cocoa SolidsCleared

Stabilizer (414)Cleared

Glazing Agent (903)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 registered with two valid licence numbers
Cocoa solids present — minor source of cocoa flavanols
Zero cholesterol declared on label
Very low sodium per serving (~0.32 mg per 3.2 g piece)

Working against

Extremely high added sugar: 73.3 g per 100 g
Very high saturated fat: 18 g per 100 g (95% of total fat)
Contains industrial trans fat via hydrogenated vegetable oil
Four synthetic azo dyes (E102, E122, E110, E133) linked to childhood hyperactivity
Ultra-processed NOVA 4 product with multiple additives
Maltodextrin adds glycaemic load beyond declared sugars
Artificial flavouring substances included alongside natural and nature-identical ones

Who should approach with care

Diabetes — 73.3 g/100 g of added sugar combined with high-GI maltodextrin will cause severe postprandial blood glucose spikes, and the hydrogenated oil further worsens insulin resistance and metabolic risk.

Heart Disease — Industrial trans fatty acids from hydrogenated vegetable oil raise LDL and lower HDL cholesterol — the most cardiotoxic dietary fat class — compounded by very high saturated fat (18 g/100 g) and excess free sugars.

Children — Four synthetic azo dyes (E102, E122, E110, E133) carry EU mandatory warnings linking them to hyperactivity and impaired attention in children; additionally, trans fat from hydrogenated oil, very high free sugars, and high-GI maltodextrin all pose disproportionate risk in young, developing consumers.

Pregnancy — Trans fatty acids from hydrogenated oil are associated with shortened pregnancy duration and preeclampsia risk; PGPR (E476) has unresolved reproductive-toxicity data; cocoa solids contribute caffeine and theobromine; and artificial flavouring substances including diacetyl have not been fully characterised for developmental safety.

Infants — FSSAI explicitly prohibits hydrogenated vegetable oils in infant foods; E110 (Sunset Yellow) has no established safe level for infants; acacia gum (E414) is not authorised for infants under 16 weeks; and synthetic vanillin and artificial flavours are discouraged in infant-directed products.

Hypertension — Excess free sugar intake is linked to raised blood pressure and cardiometabolic risk, while the adverse lipid effects of trans fatty acids from hydrogenated oil compound cardiovascular risk in individuals with existing hypertension.

Kidney Disease — Very high sugar intake contributes to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes — all independent drivers of chronic kidney disease progression — and milk solids add a phosphorus and potassium load requiring dietitian management.

Liver Disease — Hydrogenated vegetable fat and very high sugar intake both promote hepatic lipid accumulation, which is particularly hazardous for individuals with pre-existing liver disease.

Lactose Intolerance — Milk solids contain lactose and may cause bloating, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps in individuals with lactose intolerance.

Ibs — High sucrose intake, maltodextrin (which alters gut microbiome composition), emulsifiers E442 and E476, acacia gum (fermentable fibre), and synthetic flavour compounds including diacetyl can collectively exacerbate IBS symptoms.

Ibd — Emulsifier E442, maltodextrin (which promotes colonisation by pathogenic bacteria such as adherent-invasive E. coli), E133 (elevated absorption risk during IBD flares), and E102 (oxidative stress in gut tissue) are all concerning for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.

Epilepsy — Both E122 (Carmoisine) and E110 (Sunset Yellow) have documented neurobehavioural effects in sensitive populations; individuals with epilepsy should consult a physician before regular consumption.

Migraine — Cocoa solids (phenylethylamine, theobromine), tartrazine E102, and aromatic aldehydes including vanillin are all independently listed among dietary migraine triggers.

Thyroid Disease — Tartrazine (E102) has been associated in some studies with thyroid disturbance; individuals with thyroid disease should consult a doctor before regular consumption of this product.

Gluten Intolerance — Maltodextrin may be wheat-derived and carry residual wheat protein; the label also declares 'may contain wheat,' making this product risky for individuals with coeliac disease or wheat sensitivity.

Phenylketonuria — Milk solids contribute phenylalanine-rich proteins (casein and whey) that must be carefully accounted for within a strictly controlled low-phenylalanine diet.

The full analysis

Cadbury Shots are a children-oriented impulse confectionery product bought primarily for their bright colours and bite-sized convenience. The product is heavily flagged on nearly every dimension that matters to a health-conscious consumer: 73.4 g of sugar per 100 g (with 73.3 g declared as added sugar), 18 g of saturated fat, a detectable 0.2 g of trans fat traceable to the hydrogenated vegetable oil in the recipe, and a palette of four synthetic azo dyes (Tartrazine E102, Carmoisine E122, Sunset Yellow E110, and Brilliant Blue E133) that carry EU-mandated hyperactivity warnings for children. The single most useful thing a curious consumer should know is that this product combines industrial trans fat, near-pure added sugar, and multiple synthetic dyes linked to childhood hyperactivity — making it one of the most comprehensively flagged snack categories in the processed-food landscape, especially for children, pregnant women, and anyone managing diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

FSSAI licence

10014022002711, 1001

Manufacturer

Parsons Nutritionals Private Limited

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched