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Haldiram's

Kachori

Name: Kachori
Brand: Haldiram's

Avoid SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4ultra-processedhydrogenated oilshigh sodiumno artificial coloursno artificial flavourslactose-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

20 g

Pack

200 g

Ingredients

Barcode

8904063253217

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 15 ingredients

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm & Sesame Oil)Avoid

Caution 8▾

Refined Wheat FlourCaution

Vegetable Oil (Palmolein)Caution

SugarCaution

SaltCaution

Red Chilli PowderCaution

FennelCaution

Sesame SeedCaution

CinnamonCaution

Cleared 6▾

Chickpeas FlourCleared

TamarindCleared

CorianderCleared

CuminCleared

GingerCleared

CardamomCleared

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.

3/5

claims fully supported

“New Pack”unverified

This is a packaging/marketing update claim; no ingredient, nutritional, or certification data in any of the four sources confirms or contradicts a packaging change.

“Great Taste”unverified

Subjective sensory claim; no objective data in any of the four sources can confirm or refute taste quality.

“Indian Savoury Snack”true

The product is categorised under 'Indian Snacks / Namkeen / Fried Snacks' in the extra information, and the ingredient list is consistent with a traditional Indian kachori recipe.

“Crispy Stuffed Snack”true

Kachori is a well-established deep-fried stuffed pastry; the front label subtitle and product category data confirm this descriptor.

“Namkeen”true

The product is listed under the 'Namkeen' category in extra information and is a traditional Indian savoury fried snack consistent with that classification.

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

Contains chickpea flour — a source of plant protein and dietary fibre
Flavoured exclusively with traditional whole spices (no artificial flavours detected)
No artificial colours identified in ingredient list
Zero trans fat declared on label (per serving)
FSSAI licensed manufacturer (Lic. No. 10012051000101)
Vegetarian product

Working against

Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): contains hydrogenated vegetable oils
Hydrogenated palm and sesame oils raise cardiovascular and process-contaminant risk
Sodium level likely very high — raw label records 1,130 mg/100 g vs structured 330 mg/100 g; significant data discrepancy
Made with refined wheat flour (high glycaemic index; low fibre)
Contains added sugar (sucrose listed as ingredient)
Palm oil fraction associated with genotoxic process contaminants (GE, 3-MCPD) per EFSA
Deep-fried snack with high fat and calorie density

Who should approach with care

Infants — Multiple ingredients are contraindicated for infants: palmolein and hydrogenated palm oil contain genotoxic process contaminants (GE) at levels EFSA flags as of concern for infants; chilli powder causes GI mucosal irritation; sesame seeds pose an allergen and choking hazard; and fennel contains estragole, a genotoxic carcinogen of particular concern in this age group per EFSA 2025.

Pregnancy — Hydrogenated palm and sesame oils contribute trans fatty acids and genotoxic process contaminants that cross the placenta; salt adds sodium with gestational hypertension risk; fennel's estragole crosses the placenta and forms DNA adducts in the foetus per EFSA.

Lactation — Fennel contains estragole (genotoxic carcinogen) that has been detected in breast milk following maternal consumption and shown to be carcinogenic in offspring of mice per EFSA's 2025 draft opinion.

Children — Multiple signals: EFSA identifies children as highly exposed to GE and 3-MCPD process contaminants from palm oil products; refined wheat flour displaces nutrient-dense whole grains; added sugar contributes to dental caries risk; and capsaicin can cause GI mucosal irritation in young children.

Heart Disease — Hydrogenated palm oil and hydrogenated sesame oil contribute trans fatty acids that raise LDL and lower HDL cholesterol (FDA and EFSA); salt promotes sodium-driven fluid retention and elevated blood pressure; and palmolein adds saturated fatty acids — all directly worsen outcomes in cardiovascular disease.

Hypertension — Salt is the primary driver: WHO/EFSA confirm that excess sodium continuously raises blood pressure, and the product's true sodium level (raw label: ~1,130 mg/100 g) means a single serving could deliver a substantial fraction of the WHO 2,000 mg/day adult limit.

Kidney Disease — Salt intake must be minimised in kidney disease as impaired kidneys cannot excrete excess sodium efficiently; chickpea flour adds high potassium and phosphorus; EFSA identified the kidney as the primary target organ for 3-MCPD toxicity from palm oil refining.

Diabetes — Sucrose causes sharp postprandial glucose spikes; refined wheat flour has a high glycaemic index (~70–74); and trans and saturated fats from hydrogenated oils worsen insulin resistance — a combination particularly hazardous for individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Liver Disease — Hydrogenated palm and sesame oils contain 3-MCPD and GE process contaminants with demonstrated hepatotoxic potential in animal studies; chilli powder's capsaicin is metabolised via hepatic CYP2E1 to reactive species capable of focal hepatic necrosis at high doses; cassia cinnamon coumarin adds further hepatotoxic risk.

Gluten Intolerance — Refined wheat flour (27% of product) contains gluten proteins (gliadin and glutenin) that trigger autoimmune intestinal damage in celiac disease and symptoms in non-celiac gluten sensitivity; the product also carries an explicit wheat allergen declaration on pack.

Nut Allergy — The product contains hydrogenated sesame oil and whole sesame seeds; sesame is designated a top allergen (EU, FDA FASTER Act 2023, FSSAI) and cross-reactivity with tree nut/peanut allergens is documented — individuals with nut allergy should consult an allergist before consuming.

Ibs — Several ingredients exacerbate IBS: chickpea flour is high in GOS/fructans (high-FODMAP); refined wheat flour contributes fermentable fructans; capsaicin activates TRPV1 gut receptors worsening abdominal pain; and tamarind's tartaric acid may trigger loose stools or bloating.

Ibd — Chilli powder can trigger disease flares and worsen mucosal inflammation in Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis; refined wheat flour's low fibre and pro-inflammatory potential may be poorly tolerated during active flares.

Gout — Chickpea flour provides moderate purines that may elevate serum uric acid in hyperuricaemia-prone individuals; tamarind's high tartaric acid content may also aggravate uric acid dysregulation and joint inflammation.

Elderly — Renal sodium excretion capacity declines with age, making the elderly disproportionately susceptible to sodium-driven hypertension and cardiovascular harm; the likely high true sodium content of this product is of particular concern.

Migraine — Spicy foods containing capsaicin (from red chilli powder) are a recognised dietary trigger for migraine headaches in susceptible individuals.

Phenylketonuria — Refined wheat flour and chickpea flour both contribute phenylalanine via their protein content; individuals with PKU must account for total phenylalanine intake from all protein-containing foods including wheat- and legume-based snacks.

The full analysis

Haldiram's Kachori is a popular grab-and-go Indian namkeen bought for its familiar tangy-spiced flavour. The product is ultra-processed (NOVA 4) by virtue of the hydrogenated vegetable oils (palm and sesame) used in its manufacture — fats not found in home kitchens and associated with cardiovascular and process-contaminant concerns. The primary nutritional caution is sodium: the structured data shows 330 mg per 100 g, but the raw label data records 1,130 mg per 100 g and 230 mg per serving; this discrepancy is almost certainly an OCR or intake error (the structured per-100 g values closely match the label's per-serving column), meaning actual sodium content could be substantially higher than the intake numbers suggest. The most useful single thing a curious consumer should know: the hydrogenated oils add both saturated-fat and potential trans-fat exposure, and the real sodium level is likely far above what the structured nutrition panel implies.

FSSAI licence

10012051000101

Manufacturer

Haldiram Snacks Pvt. Ltd.

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched