Boost — DUMP

Munch or Dump rates Boost by Hindustan Unilever Limited DUMP — score 17/90.

A malt-and-sugar powder dressed up as an energy drink for kids, with caramel color and artificial flavoring.

Why this verdict

• Added sugar sits high in the list — this powder's main job is sweetness, not nutrition
• Caramel color INS 150c is a cosmetic additive with no nutritional value
• Nature-identical (i.e. artificial) flavouring makes it taste better than it is
• NOVA-4 ultra-processed: cereal extract, isolated soy protein, and a bolted-on vitamin premix
• Sold as a kids' 'stamina' drink while delivering mostly refined carbs and sugar

Ingredients (14)

• Cereal Extract (Barley, Wheat, Millet) (moderate) — A refined malt extract base — processed carbohydrate, stripped of most whole-grain benefit.
• Malted barley (moderate) — Malting converts starch to sugars; contributes maltose and a malty flavor, effectively more sugar.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Wheat Flour (Atta) (moderate) — Refined flour filler, more starch with little nutritional upside.
• Milk Solids (safe) — Curdled dairy solids — the protein, fat, and calcium of milk. Whole-food base with no processing tricks.
• Minerals (safe) — Fortified mineral blend for nutritional completeness.
• Natural Colour (INS 150c) (concerning) — Ammonia-process caramel color, purely cosmetic; class III caramels carry processing-contaminant concerns.
• wheat gluten (safe) — Naturally occurring in wheat, adds elasticity.
• Acidity Regulators (INS 501ii, 500ii) (moderate) — Potassium and sodium carbonates for pH; a processing additive, safe but a marker of an engineered mix.
• Iodised Salt (moderate) — Necessary for thyroid health, but overuse can contribute to hypertension.
• cocoa powder (safe) — Additional cocoa solids for depth.
• vitamins (safe) — Added vitamins (D, B2, B12, folate) that anchor the immunity/brain claims.
• Nature Identical Flavouring Substances (moderate) — Lab-synthesized 'mango' flavor doing the heavy lifting instead of actual fruit.
• Soy Protein Isolate (moderate) — Highly processed isolated protein; effective for protein content but a refined, industrial ingredient.