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Haldiram's Nagpur

Kaju Katli

Name: Kaju Katli
Brand: Haldiram's Nagpur

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 450% cashew nutsno artificial flavoursno artificial sweetenersvegetarianrefrigerated freshgluten-freepregnancy-safelactose-freeenjoy in moderation

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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 · 3 ingredients shown

Caution3 of 4 ingredients

Cashew NutsCaution

Refined SugarCaution

Silver LeavesCaution

Cleared 1▾

Preservative (INS 202)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.

0/4

claims fully supported

“The World's Best Kaju Katli”unverified

A superlative marketing claim with no supporting data in any of the four available sources.

“Taste of Tradition”unverified

A subjective experiential claim; no sensory evaluation, heritage certification, or comparative data is available to evaluate it.

“Freshly Packed”unverified

The product requires continuous refrigeration at 6–10°C and consumption within 24 hours of opening, suggesting a short shelf life consistent with a fresh-packed product. However, no packing date, best-before date, or shelf-life figure is present in any source, so the claim cannot be confirmed as of any given sale date.

“Handcrafted Indian Sweets”unverified

No manufacturing process description, facility audit, or artisanal certification is present in any of the four data sources to verify a handcrafted production method.

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

Cashew nuts form 50% of the product — a meaningful whole-food base
No artificial sweeteners detected
No artificial flavours detected
Vegetarian status confirmed

Working against

Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): contains preservative INS 202 and colour/decoration E 174
Silver leaf (E 174) has unresolved EFSA genotoxicity and nanoparticle safety data gaps as of 2025
Refined sugar is the second ingredient; actual sugar content is undisclosed
No nutrition panel available — calories, sugar, and fat cannot be assessed
Potassium sorbate adds hidden dietary potassium — a hazard for kidney disease patients
May contain sulfites — undeclared source but noted on allergen panel

Who should approach with care

Nut Allergy — Cashew nut is an explicitly declared major tree-nut allergen under FSSAI, EU Regulation 1169/2011, and US FALCPA; exposure in sensitised individuals can cause severe anaphylaxis.

Infants — Silver leaf (E 174) has unresolved EFSA genotoxicity and nanoparticle safety data gaps, making any exposure inadvisable for infants with immature detoxification systems; cashew introduction also requires paediatric/allergist guidance.

Children — Children face three overlapping signals: high sugar content from refined sugar (dental caries and weight risk per WHO/EFSA), cashew as a declared major allergen, and frequent exposure to silver leaf whose EFSA safety uncertainty warrants limiting consumption in this age group.

Pregnancy — Silver leaf (E 174) has unresolved genotoxicity data gaps per EFSA 2025; pregnant women are advised to exercise caution until safety is confirmed.

Diabetes — Refined sugar (sucrose) is rapidly hydrolysed to glucose and fructose, causing acute postprandial blood glucose and insulin spikes; EFSA identified consistent data linking high added sugar intake to impaired glucose tolerance.

Kidney Disease — Three concurrent kidney signals: silver leaf ionic silver may accumulate due to reduced renal excretion (EFSA warning), potassium sorbate adds hidden dietary potassium hazardous in CKD, and cashew oxalates can exacerbate calcium-oxalate nephrolithiasis.

Liver Disease — Silver ions released from elemental silver (E 174) are known to interact with hepatic tissue; those with pre-existing liver disease should consult a doctor before regular consumption of silver-decorated foods.

Heart Disease — EFSA's 2022 safety assessment confirmed associations between high added-sugar intake and adverse cardiovascular risk factors including elevated triglycerides and blood pressure; refined sugar is the second ingredient with unknown quantity.

Gout — The fructose moiety of sucrose is metabolised via uric-acid-generating pathways; high sucrose intake can elevate serum urate and precipitate or worsen gout flares.

Ibs — High sucrose loads may exacerbate IBS symptoms through osmotic effects and gut microbiota alteration; sucrose is not low-FODMAP at high doses.

Sulfite Sensitivity — The allergen panel declares 'May Contain Sulfites,' presenting a cross-contamination risk for individuals with sulfite sensitivity or intolerance.

The full analysis

Kaju Katli is one of India's most iconic gift-grade sweets, bought for festivals, celebrations, and gifting occasions. At first glance its ingredient list looks short, but two of its four components raise flags: edible silver leaf (E 174) has been flagged twice by EFSA — most recently in 2025 — for unresolved genotoxicity and nanoparticle safety data gaps, and refined sugar is its second-largest ingredient with zero nutrition data disclosed, making the actual sugar load impossible to assess. The presence of a preservative (INS 202) and a colourant/decoration (E 174) automatically pushes this traditional sweet into NOVA Group 4 (ultra-processed). The most important thing a buyer should know is that despite its 'natural' reputation, this product contains an additive whose safety EU regulators have explicitly not been able to confirm — a relevant signal especially for pregnant women, infants, and children who consume it frequently.

Manufacturer

Haldiram's Nagpur

Region

Source

MANUAL

Analysis

Independently researched