Soya Sticks — DUMP

Munch or Dump rates Soya Sticks by Haldiram's DUMP — score 17/90.

Fried in hydrogenated vanaspati (trans fat), built on tapioca starch with only 9% soya, and loaded with a flavor-enhancer stack and 30+ additives.

Why this verdict

• Fried in hydrogenated vanaspati — a source of artificial trans fat that raises heart-disease risk
• Tapioca starch is the #1 ingredient; soya is only 9% — it's a starch snack, not a protein snack
• Flavor-enhancer stack (INS 627 + 631) plus maltodextrin engineers cravings
• Refined sugar and glucose powder add hidden sweetness to a savory snack
• 30+ ingredients including artificial color, anticaking and acidity regulators

Ingredients (15)

• TAPIOCA STARCH (moderate) — Refined starch used for binding and chew, nutritionally empty.
• Edible Vegetable Oil (Palmolein, Cottonseed, Corn, Sunflower, Rice Bran) (moderate) — A blend of refined frying oils; drives the fat and calorie load in a deep-fried snack.
• Soya Flour (9%) (safe) — The only real source of protein here, but at just 9% it can't carry the 'protein snack' claim.
• Split Pulse Urad (Urad Dal) Flour (safe) — A whole-pulse flour that adds a little protein and fiber — one of the few clean components.
• Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Vanaspati) (harmful) — A source of artificial trans fat that raises LDL, lowers HDL and is directly linked to heart disease — the single worst ingredient here.
• Maltodextrin (moderate) — Highly processed starch-derived carbohydrate used as a carrier and texturizer; spikes blood sugar readily.
• Refined sugar (concerning) — Straight added sugar, no nutritional upside.
• Glucose Powder (moderate) — A second added sweetener stacked on top of refined sugar to boost craveability.
• Flavour Enhancer (INS 627, INS 631) (concerning) — Disodium guanylate + inosinate — nucleotide enhancers that supercharge umami and drive overeating.
• Iodised salt / black salt (moderate) — Heavy salt load typical of namkeen; pushes sodium high.
• Colour (INS 160c) (moderate) — Added paprika/carotenoid color to fake a richer look.
• Preservative (INS 262i) / Acidity Regulators (INS 296, INS 330) / Anticaking (INS 551) (moderate) — A stack of preservatives, acidity regulators and anticaking agents typical of shelf-stable ultra-processed snacks.
• Whey Powder (safe) — Dairy-derived milk solid for flavor and browning.
• Mixed Spices (Chilli, Coriander, Cumin, Garlic, Onion, etc.) (safe) — The genuine spice blend that flavors the sticks — fine on their own, but buried in the additive stack.
• Nature-Identical & Natural Flavouring Substances (moderate) — 'Nature identical' means synthetic, lab-made flavor. It's doing the work real fruit should be doing here.