⌕ Zoom

Photo from the brand's official website

Go Desi

Jaggery Kaju Katli

Name: Jaggery Kaju Katli
Brand: Go Desi

Use in moderation Not on SafeShelf

NOVA 4no refined sugarhigh cashew contentcontains preservativeshigh added sugarpregnancy-safediabetic-safegluten-freelactose-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

70 g

Pack

—

Ingredients

Barcode

8906108894522

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 5 ingredients

Cashew NutsCaution

Palm JaggeryCaution

Silver LeavesCaution

Preservatives INS 211Caution

Cleared 1▾

INS 202E202Cleared

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.

2/2

claims fully supported

“No Refined Sugar”true

The ingredient list confirms no white or refined sugar; the sole sweetener is palm jaggery (30%), an unrefined non-centrifugal sweetener. However, added sugar is declared at 30g/100g, so the product is still high in free sugars.

“Made with palm jaggery”true

Palm jaggery is explicitly listed as the second ingredient at 30% by weight, confirmed by both the ingredient list and the nutrition panel showing 30g added sugar/100g sourced from it.

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

Very high cashew content (69%) — a good source of plant protein and healthy fats
No refined sugar — palm jaggery used as sole sweetener
Zero trans fat declared
Decent dietary fibre for a confectionery product (2.3g/100g)
FSSAI licensed and manufactured in India with traceable contact details

Working against

Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) — contains two synthetic preservatives (INS 211, INS 202)
Very high added sugar — 30g per 100g from palm jaggery
Contains sodium benzoate (INS 211) — linked to ADI exceedance risk in children
Silver leaf (E174/INS 174) has unresolved EFSA genotoxicity and nanoparticle safety concerns
High calorie density at 499 kcal/100g
Cross-contamination risk: facility also processes milk, peanut, wheat, and tree nuts

Who should approach with care

Nut Allergy — Cashew nuts (69%) are a declared major tree-nut allergen under FSSAI, EU Regulation 1169/2011, and US FALCPA; ingestion by sensitised individuals can trigger severe anaphylaxis.

Infants — Multiple concerns converge: WHO advises avoiding all added/free sugars for children under 24 months; silver leaf (E174) has unresolved nanoparticle safety data; sodium benzoate carries paediatric ADI exceedance risk at low body weights; and cashew introduction should be medically guided.

Children — 30g added sugar/100g can quickly push children past the WHO free-sugar limit (<10% daily energy); sodium benzoate (INS 211) can exceed the EFSA group ADI of 5 mg/kg bw/day under regular brand-loyal consumption; and silver leaf safety remains under EFSA review.

Pregnancy — Silver leaf (E174) has unresolved genotoxicity data gaps per EFSA 2016 and 2025 reviews, and sodium benzoate shows in vitro genotoxic and animal reproductive toxicity signals, warranting precautionary reduction during pregnancy.

Diabetes — Palm jaggery (30% of product) supplies ≥90% total sugars and will raise blood glucose; although its glycaemic index may be modestly lower than refined sugar, 30g added sugar/100g makes portion control critical for diabetics and pre-diabetics.

Kidney Disease — Three converging risks: cashews are high in oxalates (stone risk), silver leaf ionic release may accumulate when renal clearance is impaired (argyria/nephrotoxicity), and potassium sorbate adds a hidden potassium load hazardous for patients restricting dietary potassium.

Liver Disease — Sodium benzoate undergoes hepatic conjugation and research indicates it may adversely affect liver function; silver ions also interact with hepatic tissue, making regular consumption risky for those with pre-existing hepatic conditions.

Hypertension — High added-sugar intake (30g/100g from palm jaggery) is associated with elevated blood pressure, making liberal consumption inadvisable for individuals managing hypertension despite the product's relatively low sodium content.

Ibs — Palm jaggery contains fructose and other fermentable carbohydrates that may exacerbate bloating and altered bowel habits in individuals with IBS following a low-FODMAP diet.

Gout — Fructose in palm jaggery can stimulate uric acid synthesis; excessive consumption may trigger or worsen gout flares in individuals with hyperuricaemia, consistent with dietary guidance on limiting free fructose.

Other — Individuals with salicylate or benzoate hypersensitivity (including aspirin-sensitive asthma patients) may experience urticaria, angioedema, or bronchospasm from sodium benzoate (INS 211); those with latex-fruit syndrome may cross-react with cashew.

The full analysis

Go Desi's Jaggery Kaju Katli is likely bought by consumers seeking a 'healthier' or more traditional alternative to conventional kaju katli, drawn by the no refined sugar and palm jaggery positioning. The product does deliver on those specific claims — palm jaggery genuinely replaces refined sugar — but the overall picture is more complicated: at 34.1g total sugar and 30g added sugar per 100g, it is still a high-sugar indulgence, and the presence of two synthetic preservatives (sodium benzoate INS 211 and potassium sorbate INS 202) alongside silver leaf whose EFSA safety review remains unresolved pushes this into NOVA 4 ultra-processed territory despite its artisanal branding. The single most useful thing a curious consumer should know: 'no refined sugar' is factually true, but 30g of added sugar per 100g from palm jaggery is still a very significant sugar load.

FSSAI licence

11221332000786

Manufacturer

GO DESI MANDI PRIVATE LIMITED

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched