Horlicks Classic Malt — DUMP
Munch or Dump rates Horlicks Classic Malt by Hindustan Unilever Ltd DUMP — score 17/90.
A sugary fortified malt powder sold as a kids' health drink. Sugar sits near the top of the list, and the added vitamins are the fig leaf that makes processed carbs look like nourishment.
Why this verdict
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) sweetened malt powder, not a whole food
- Added sugar sits among the top ingredients in a product aimed at kids
- Refined malt starch + sugar drive a fast blood-sugar spike
- Vitamins and minerals are bolted-on fortification, not real nourishment
- Soy protein isolate and acidity regulators mark it as an engineered blend
Ingredients (9)
- Malt (barley, wheat flour, wheat, millet) (moderate) — Malted refined grains give fast-digesting starch and maltose; the barley/wheat base is not whole grain here.
- Milk Solids (safe) — Curdled dairy solids — the protein, fat, and calcium of milk. Whole-food base with no processing tricks.
- Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
- wheat gluten (safe) — Naturally occurring in wheat, adds elasticity.
- Minerals (safe) — Fortified mineral blend for nutritional completeness.
- Edible Iodized Salt (moderate) — Adds sodium; small amount but unnecessary in a sweet drink.
- Soy Protein Isolate (moderate) — Highly processed isolated protein; effective for protein content but a refined, industrial ingredient.
- Acidity Regulators (INS 501ii, 500ii) (moderate) — Potassium and sodium carbonates for pH; a processing additive, safe but a marker of an engineered mix.
- vitamins (safe) — Added vitamins (D, B2, B12, folate) that anchor the immunity/brain claims.