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Kaleva

Chana Chakh

Name: Chana Chakh
Brand: Kaleva

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4zero added sugarno artificial coloursno artificial flavoursultra-processedhigh sodiumcontains palm oillactose-freegluten-freediabetic-safenut-freepregnancy-safeenjoy in moderation

Serving

30 g

Pack

—

Ingredients

Barcode

6 82564 09910 4

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 · 2 ingredients shown

Caution2 of 5 ingredients

Edible Vegetable Oil (Refined Palmein Oil)Caution

Spices & Condiments (Red Chilli Powder, Black Salt, Dry Mango Powder, Cumin, Turmeric Powder, Dry Ginger Powder, Coriander, Black Pepper)Caution

Cleared 3▾

Roasted GramCleared

Iodised SaltCleared

Acidity Regulator (INS 330 & INS 296)Cleared

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.

3/6

claims fully supported

“Traditional Indian Taste”misleading

The spice blend (red chilli, black salt, amchur, cumin, turmeric, ginger, coriander, black pepper) is authentically traditional; however, the inclusion of synthetic acidity regulators INS 330/296 is not traditional.

“Bikaner Wale Ka”unverified

The manufacturer address is 109 Bangla Sahib Road, Gole Market, New Delhi — not Bikaner. No production or origin data ties this product to Bikaner.

“Roasted Gram with a Taste of tak”true

Roasted gram is the primary ingredient; 'tak' (tanginess) is provided by dry mango powder (amchur) and black salt — both confirmed in the ingredient list.

“Chane ka swad chilke ke saath”true

Confirmed as the product's Hindi tagline in rawLabelData (hindiTagline field); roasted gram with skin is the base ingredient.

“Multi-layer pack to hold the freshness”true

Confirmed in rawLabelData caveats and packagingInfo fields; packaging is described as multi-layer, manufactured by Sahapt Polymers Ltd.

“The perfect snacks Anytime Anywhere”unverified

Subjective marketing claim; no nutritional or safety data can confirm or deny suitability for all times and all people — multiple groups (hypertensive, renal patients, infants) should limit or avoid this product.

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

Zero added sugar and zero total sugar
Zero trans fat
Roasted gram base provides plant protein (~11g per 100g)
Vegetarian product (FSSAI veg mark)
FSSAI licensed manufacturer — regulatory compliance verified
Spice blend uses only natural whole spices (no artificial flavours)

Working against

NOVA 4 ultra-processed — contains synthetic acidity regulators (INS 330, INS 296)
Contains refined palm oil — high saturated fat, EFSA-flagged GE/3-MCPD contaminants
High sodium: ~600mg per 100g per label rawData (8% RDA from just one 30g serving)
Two sources of sodium (iodised salt + black salt) compound cardiovascular risk
Zero dietary fibre listed despite chickpea base — unusual and possibly inaccurate
Nutrition data inconsistency on label: per-100g and per-serving values appear transposed

Who should approach with care

Infants — Multiple ingredients — iodised salt, black salt, red chilli powder, and dry ginger — are contraindicated for infants due to immature renal function, mucosal sensitivity, and the absence of safe intake thresholds for spicy/salty foods in this age group.

Children — Refined palm oil exposes younger age groups to EFSA-flagged genotoxic GE and nephrotoxic 3-MCPD contaminants at disproportionately high levels relative to body weight; chilli and curcumin also carry paediatric cautions.

Hypertension — The product contains two sodium sources (iodised salt and black salt) contributing approximately 600mg sodium per 100g; excess sodium is a direct driver of elevated blood pressure per WHO guidance.

Kidney Disease — High combined sodium from iodised and black salt, potassium and phosphorus from chickpeas, and oxalates from dry mango powder can all exacerbate electrolyte imbalance and renal stress in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Heart Disease — Refined palm oil (high palmitic acid saturated fat) and dual sodium sources (iodised salt + black salt) collectively elevate LDL cholesterol and cardiac fluid load, compounding risk in those with pre-existing heart disease.

Pregnancy — Refined palm oil contains genotoxic GE process contaminants (EFSA caution for pregnant women), and the combined high-sodium seasoning may exacerbate gestational oedema or pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Lactation — Iodised salt alone may be insufficient to meet elevated lactation iodine requirements (200 µg/day per EFSA); a clinician should assess total iodine intake, and high sodium intake should be monitored.

Ibs — Roasted gram contains FODMAP oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose), capsaicin from chilli activates TRPV1 gut receptors, and manufactured citric acid (INS 330) has been associated with GI inflammatory complaints — all established IBS triggers.

Ibd — Chilli powder, black salt sulfides, piperine from black pepper, and manufactured citric acid can individually irritate GI mucosa and risk triggering flares in individuals with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Liver Disease — Refined palm oil's saturated fat load may worsen lipid metabolism dysfunction in hepatic disease, and capsaicin metabolism via hepatic CYP2E1 may generate reactive species at high intakes.

Gout — Chickpeas contain moderate purines; individuals with gout are generally advised to limit legume intake to reduce uric acid load.

Phenylketonuria — Roasted gram is a significant source of phenylalanine as part of its protein content; individuals with PKU must count total phenylalanine from all protein sources including legumes.

Migraine — Red chilli powder (capsaicin) is a recognised dietary trigger for migraine headaches in susceptible individuals.

Nut Allergy — Dry mango powder belongs to the Anacardiaceae family (same as cashews and pistachios); cross-reactive allergic responses are possible, and the label also declares 'may contain traces of peanuts and nuts'.

The full analysis

Chana Chakh is a popular Indian namkeen snack built around roasted gram — a whole-food legume base that delivers plant protein — and dressed with a blend of authentic spices. The product is bought by everyday Indian snackers looking for a familiar, tangy chaat-style taste. However, it crosses into ultra-processed territory (NOVA 4) due to the inclusion of synthetic acidity regulators (INS 330 and INS 296) and refined palm oil, the latter carrying EFSA-flagged process contaminants (GE, 3-MCPD). A notable data inconsistency exists in the submitted nutrition label: the values labelled 'per 100g' in the intake form match the per-serving (30g) figures, while the rawLabelData's per100gNutrition shows 415 kcal, 11g protein, 69.5g carbs, 11g fat, and 600mg sodium per 100g — the consumer should be aware that actual sodium per 100g is approximately 600mg, not 180mg.

FSSAI licence

13318009000

Manufacturer

Kaleva

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched