Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda
Published
Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda is a sweetened carbonated drink flavoured with a little lemon juice concentrate, salt and spices. It scores EA4: nutrition is lowest because it carries sugar and nothing else, ingredients are strong thanks to a short list with mild additives, and risk is high because of the sugar. Best as an occasional treat, not a daily drink.
Ingredients, decoded
9 listed- Carbonated Water
- Sugar
- Lemon Juice concentrate (2.1%)
- Acidity Regulators (INS 330)
- Salt
- Black Salt
- Cumin Powder
- Black Pepper Powder
- Preservative (INS 211)
2 teaspoons of sugar in every 100 ml · 11 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon
| Energy | 46 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Total sugars | 11 g |
| Added sugars | 10.5 g |
| Total fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
Think this score is wrong?
What to know about Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda
A spiced lemon soda with 26 g added sugar per bottle
A 250 ml bottle of carbonated drink built on carbonated water and sugar, with lemon juice concentrate (2.1%), citric acid, salt, black salt, cumin, black pepper and sodium benzoate as a preservative. It is sold in a pack of 12 as a tangy, savoury-spiced take on the classic Indian masala soda.
A 250 ml bottle gives 115 kcal, 0 g protein and about 26 g of added sugar. Per 100 ml that is 46 kcal, 10.53 g added sugar and 140 mg sodium, so one bottle has about 350 mg sodium. Nearly all the energy comes from sugar.
The pack front says Lemon Soda and the back says it is equivalent to 7% real lemon juice, but the list shows lemon juice concentrate at 2.1%. The spices are real and listed, though their amounts are not declared. CleanPlate scores it EA4.
Why Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda scores EA4
Nutrition is an E because there is no protein, fibre or micronutrient, only sugar energy. Ingredients are an A on a short list with mild additives, and risk is a 4 on 10.53 g added sugar per 100 ml.
Very low nutrient density
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 46 kcal
01 Nutrition density: why E
There is no protein and no fibre, and no vitamins or minerals are declared, so nothing lifts the grade. The 46 kcal per 100 ml come almost entirely from sugar, 11 g of it, and one 250 ml bottle has 115 kcal.
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal. Protein also has to supply at least 12.5% of the calories to count, and 25% for full credit.
Clean, minimally processed
- Base
- Carbonated Water
- Sweeteners
- Sugar
- Additives
- 2
- Flagged
- Sodium Benzoate
02 Ingredient integrity: why A
The list is short and plain: carbonated water, sugar, lemon juice concentrate, citric acid, salt, black salt, cumin, black pepper and sodium benzoate. The two additives, citric acid (330) and sodium benzoate (211), cost no ingredient points.
The lemon juice concentrate is only 2.1% and the other ingredients carry no declared percentage, which costs label points. The pack also states a natural caramel colour (150D) and added flavours.
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
High risk
- Added sugar
- 10.5 g
- Sodium
- 140 mg
03 Load risk: why 4
Sugar drives the risk number: 10.53 g of added sugar per 100 ml, so about 26 g in one 250 ml bottle. That is what lands the risk on a 4.
Sodium adds a little: 140 mg per 100 ml, about 350 mg per bottle. There is no saturated or trans fat, and the energy itself does not add to the risk.
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
Red flags
- −Red flag: High added sugar (10.5g per 100ml)
- −Red flag: Contains Sodium Benzoate
Green flags
Nothing stands out in its favour.
Does Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda live up to its claims?
The lemon is real but small: 2.1% concentrate in the list, against the 7% juice equivalent printed on the back. The spices are listed without amounts.
- Product namePartly true
“Lemon Soda”
Lemon juice concentrate is listed, but at only 2.1% of the drink. Water and sugar make up most of it.
- On the packBe careful
“Equivalent to 7% real lemon juice”
The statement is a juice equivalent. The ingredient list shows the concentrate itself at 2.1%.
- On the packPartly true
“Made with love and spices”
Cumin, black pepper and black salt are listed, but without any declared amounts.
- Retail listingBe careful
“Lemon Masala Soda”
The retailer page shows Lemon Masala Soda, the pack shows Lemon Soda only. The spices are in the list either way.
What's in Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda?
Carbonated water and sugar lead the list, then a small share of lemon concentrate, citric acid, salt and spices. The sugar is what to watch.
The ingredient list, read for you
Carbonated water and sugar come first, so this is sweetened fizzy water. Lemon juice concentrate follows at 2.1%, with citric acid for sourness. Salt, black salt, cumin and black pepper give the masala taste, and sodium benzoate preserves it. The pack also states a natural caramel colour (150D) and added flavours.
Ingredients to watch
- Added sugarConcern
10.53 g per 100 ml, about 26 g in one 250 ml bottle. It drives the risk grade.
- SodiumWorth watching
140 mg per 100 ml, about 350 mg per bottle, from salt and black salt.
- Small lemon shareWorth watching
Lemon juice concentrate is 2.1% of the drink, and the other ingredient amounts are not declared. This costs label points.
- Citric acid and sodium benzoateFine
Both are listed (330 and 211) and neither costs ingredient points.
What it doesn’t have
- No vitamins or minerals are declared on the panel.
- Amounts for the salt and spices are not given.
Who should eat Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda?
An occasional drink for most adults and pregnant women, and rarely for children, teens or anyone with a heart condition.
- Most adultsOccasionally
About 26 g added sugar per 250 ml bottle.
- Children and teensRarely
26 g added sugar per bottle, plus a colour and a preservative.
- PregnancyOccasionally
115 kcal per bottle from sugar, with no nutrients to offset it.
- Heart conditionsRarely
About 350 mg sodium and 26 g added sugar in one bottle.
Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda: common questions
What is the CleanPlate score of Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda?
Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda is a sweetened carbonated drink flavoured with a little lemon juice concentrate, salt and spices. It scores EA4: nutrition is lowest because it carries sugar and nothing else, ingredients are strong thanks to a short list with mild additives, and risk is high because of the sugar. Best as an occasional treat, not a daily drink. Nutrition E, ingredients A, load risk 4; nutrition and ingredients run A to E, risk runs 1 to 5, and A and 1 are best.
How many calories and how much protein are in Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda?
Per 100 ml, Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda has 46 kcal, 0 g protein, 11 g carbohydrate, 0 g fat and 10.5 g added sugar. One serve (1 bottle, 250 ml) has 115 kcal and 0 g protein.
What are the ingredients in Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda?
9 ingredients, in label order: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Lemon Juice concentrate (2.1%), Acidity Regulators (INS 330), Salt, Black Salt, Cumin Powder, Black Pepper Powder, Preservative (INS 211). Flagged: Sodium Benzoate (low concern).
Does Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda live up to its claims?
4 claims checked: 2 are partly true, 2 need care. "Lemon Soda" is partly true: Lemon juice concentrate is listed, but at only 2.1% of the drink. Water and sugar make up most of it. "Equivalent to 7% real lemon juice" needs care: The statement is a juice equivalent. The ingredient list shows the concentrate itself at 2.1%.
Who should limit Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda?
Most adults: occasionally. About 26 g added sugar per 250 ml bottle. Children and teens: rarely. 26 g added sugar per bottle, plus a colour and a preservative. Pregnancy: occasionally. 115 kcal per bottle from sugar, with no nutrients to offset it.
How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda have?
Per 100 ml, Bombay Banta Lemon Masala Soda has 10.5 g added sugar and 140 mg sodium (about 0.3 g salt). The FSSAI and UK FSA "high" lines are 5 g added sugar, 300 mg sodium and 2.5 g saturated fat per 100 ml. It is high in sugar.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .
Label read on 31 October 2026, from photos of the pack. If the pack has changed since, tell us.
Score history (1)
| Date | Score | Method | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 October 2026 | EA4 | v5.0 | First scored |
Every change to this score is logged. See corrections and the method changelog.
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