Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread
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Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney is a hot, oily chilli and garlic spread sold for dipping, stir-fries and pizza bases. It scores EA5: low on nutrition because it has almost no protein or fibre, strong on ingredients thanks to a short, plain list, and at the top of the risk scale because of the salt. Use it by the spoonful, not the scoop.
Ingredients, decoded
14 listed- Water
- Refined Cotton Seed Oil
- Sugar
- Iodised Salt
- Chilli
- Garlic
- Onion
- Spices (White Pepper)
- Thickener (INS 1422)
- Ginger
- Acidity Regulator (INS 260)
- Flavour Enhancer (INS 635)
- Preservatives (INS 202, INS 211)
- Natural Flavouring Substances
1½ teaspoons of sugar in every 100 g · 8 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon
| Energy | 176 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 16.7 g |
| Total sugars | 8 g |
| Added sugars | 7.6 g |
| Total fat | 11.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 2260 mg |
Think this score is wrong?
What to know about Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread
A short, plain list with 2,260 mg sodium per 100 g
Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney is a 250 g jar of spicy spread built on water and refined cottonseed oil, with sugar, iodised salt, chilli, garlic, onion, white pepper and ginger. A modified starch thickener, an acidity regulator, a flavour enhancer, two preservatives and natural flavouring finish it. It is bought for a quick Indo-Chinese kick: on noodles, in fried rice, as a sandwich spread or as a dip. No ingredient percentages are declared.
Per 100 g the chutney has 176 kcal, 2.2 g protein, 11.2 g fat (3.8 g saturated), 7.6 g added sugar and 2,260 mg sodium, which is about 5.7 g of salt. The pack counts a serve as 15 g, so a spoonful brings 26 kcal and 339 mg sodium. Fibre is not declared per 100 g, and no vitamins or minerals are given.
The name and front say Schezwan chutney and vegetable chutney. The vegetables are real, but water and oil lead the list and chilli, garlic, onion and ginger follow with no shares stated. No Schezwan pepper is named, only white pepper. CleanPlate scores it EA5.
Why Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread scores EA5
Nutrition is an E on 2.2 g protein per 100 g and no declared fibre. Ingredients are an A on a short, plain list, and risk is a 5 because sodium is 2,260 mg per 100 g.
Very low nutrient density
- Protein
- 2.2 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 176 kcal
01 Nutrition density: why E
Protein is 2.2 g per 100 g, and the largest share comes from chilli, so it earns little credit. Fibre is not declared, and no vitamins or minerals are listed, so nothing else lifts the grade.
Energy is 176 kcal per 100 g, mostly from 11.2 g of fat, which comes from the refined cottonseed oil. A 15 g spoonful is 26 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
- Water
- Main fat
- Refined Cotton Seed Oil
- Sweeteners
- Sugar
- Additives
- 4
- Flagged
- Sodium Benzoate
02 Ingredient integrity: why A
The list is short and mostly recognisable: water, oil, sugar, salt, then chilli, garlic, onion, white pepper and ginger. No hydrogenated fat is listed, so the declared trans fat of 0 g is accepted, and no dye or sweetener appears.
A few additives cost ingredient points. The modified starch thickener (1422) costs points, as does the flavour enhancer (635), and natural flavouring costs one more. The preservatives potassium sorbate (202) and sodium benzoate (211) and acetic acid (260) cost none. Nothing on the pack is a hollow promise.
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
Very high risk
- Added sugar
- 7.6 g
- Sodium
- 2260 mg
- Saturated fat
- 3.8 g
- Trans fat
- 0 g
03 Load risk: why 5
Sodium is the driver: 2,260 mg per 100 g, which accounts for nearly all of the risk number. A 15 g spoonful has 339 mg.
Saturated fat is 3.8 g per 100 g and added sugar is 7.6 g, and both add a little. Trans fat is 0 g, so it plays no part.
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 sodium (2260mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Sodium Benzoate
Green flags
Nothing stands out in its favour.
Does Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread live up to its claims?
The chutney is made with real vegetables, but none is given a share and water and oil come first. The name promises Schezwan, yet only white pepper is named as a spice.
- Product namePartly true
“Schezwan Chutney”
Chilli, garlic, onion and ginger are in it, with white pepper as the named spice. No Schezwan pepper is listed, and no shares are declared.
- On the packBe careful
“Vegetable Chutney”
The vegetables are real, but water and refined cottonseed oil lead the list. Chilli, garlic, onion and ginger follow with no percentages.
- Retail listingHolds
“Brace yourself for the intense heat”
Chilli is the first vegetable on the list, and white pepper and ginger add heat as well.
What's in Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread?
Water, cottonseed oil, sugar and salt lead, then chilli, garlic, onion and ginger. Watch the salt first, then the modified starch, flavour enhancer and two preservatives.
The ingredient list, read for you
Water and refined cottonseed oil lead, so the jar is mostly a loose, oily paste. Sugar and iodised salt come next, then chilli, garlic, onion, white pepper and ginger for the flavour and heat. The modified starch (1422) thickens it, acetic acid (260) keeps it tangy, flavour enhancer 635 boosts the savoury taste, and preservatives 202 and 211 and natural flavouring complete it. No ingredient percentages are declared.
The pack advises that it contains celery and may contain wheat, soy, nuts, sesame, mustard and milk.
Ingredients to watch
- SodiumConcern
2,260 mg per 100 g, about 5.7 g of salt. A 15 g spoonful has 339 mg, and a heavier hand adds it up quickly.
- Added sugarWorth watching
7.6 g per 100 g, about 1.1 g in a spoonful. Sugar is the third ingredient.
- Thickener (1422) and flavour enhancer (635)Worth watching
A modified starch and a flavour enhancer each cost ingredient points. Natural flavouring costs one more.
- Preservatives 202 and 211Worth watching
Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are both listed. They cost no ingredient points, but they are worth knowing about. Keep the jar refrigerated after opening, as the pack says.
- Plain base and no trans fatFine
Chilli, garlic, onion and ginger are in the list, no hydrogenated fat is used, and trans fat is 0 g.
What it doesn’t have
- Fibre is not declared per 100 g, and no vitamins or minerals are given.
- No percentages are given for chilli, garlic, onion or ginger.
Who should eat Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread?
An occasional spoonful for most adults. Children and anyone watching weight should keep it rare, and those with high blood pressure should avoid it.
- Most adultsRarely
2,260 mg sodium per 100 g, 339 mg in each 15 g spoonful.
- ChildrenRarely
Salty and hot, with little protein or fibre.
- High blood pressureAvoid
Sodium is the biggest driver of the risk grade, at 2,260 mg per 100 g.
- Weight managementRarely
A spoonful is only 26 kcal, but the salt is high and oil makes up much of the jar.
Recipes with Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread
A spoonful in fried rice, noodles or on a pizza base gives the heat. At 339 mg sodium per 15 g, use it in place of added salt.
Schez pizza
The pack suggests spreading it on a pizza base under the toppings and cheese. Use a thin layer, since each 15 g adds 339 mg sodium.
Schezwan fried rice
Stir one spoonful through hot rice and vegetables, and skip other salty sauces, so the 339 mg sodium per spoonful is the main salt.
Sandwich or wrap spread
Smear a thin layer with cucumber, tomato and onion for crunch. A 15 g spoonful is 26 kcal.
Quick dip
Mix a spoonful into curd or hung curd to soften the heat and add some protein, since the chutney has only 2.2 g per 100 g.
Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread: common questions
What is the CleanPlate score of Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread?
Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney is a hot, oily chilli and garlic spread sold for dipping, stir-fries and pizza bases. It scores EA5: low on nutrition because it has almost no protein or fibre, strong on ingredients thanks to a short, plain list, and at the top of the risk scale because of the salt. Use it by the spoonful, not the scoop. Nutrition E, ingredients A, load risk 5; 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 Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread?
Per 100 g, Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread has 176 kcal, 2.2 g protein, 16.7 g carbohydrate, 11.2 g fat and 3.8 g saturated fat. One serve (1 spoonful, 15 g) has 26 kcal and 0.3 g protein.
What are the ingredients in Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread?
14 ingredients, in label order: Water, Refined Cotton Seed Oil, Sugar, Iodised Salt, Chilli, Garlic, Onion, Spices (White Pepper), Thickener (INS 1422), Ginger, Acidity Regulator (INS 260), Flavour Enhancer (INS 635), Preservatives (INS 202, INS 211), Natural Flavouring Substances. Flagged: Sodium Benzoate (low concern).
Does Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread live up to its claims?
3 claims checked: 1 holds, 1 is partly true, 1 needs care. "Schezwan Chutney" is partly true: Chilli, garlic, onion and ginger are in it, with white pepper as the named spice. No Schezwan pepper is listed, and no shares are declared. "Vegetable Chutney" needs care: The vegetables are real, but water and refined cottonseed oil lead the list. Chilli, garlic, onion and ginger follow with no percentages.
Who should limit Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread?
Most adults: rarely. 2,260 mg sodium per 100 g, 339 mg in each 15 g spoonful. Children: rarely. Salty and hot, with little protein or fibre. High blood pressure: avoid. Sodium is the biggest driver of the risk grade, at 2,260 mg per 100 g.
How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread have?
Per 100 g, Ching's Secret Schezwan Chutney, Spread has 7.6 g added sugar, 2260 mg sodium (about 5.7 g salt) and 3.8 g saturated fat. The FSSAI and UK FSA "high" lines are 10 g added sugar, 600 mg sodium and 5 g saturated fat per 100 g. It is high in salt.
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .
