Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container
Published
Horlicks Classic Malt is a malt and milk drink powder, stirred into milk or water and sold with added vitamins and minerals. It scores [F]CB3: nutrition is middling only because of that fortification, ingredients are fairly clean with no additives of concern, and risk is moderate from sugar and sodium. A reasonable cup a few times a week, not a daily must.
Ingredients, decoded
9 listed- Malt
- Barley
- Wheat Flour (Atta)
- Wheat
- Millet
- Milk Solids
- Sugar
- Wheat Gluten
- Minerals
- Edible Iodized Salt
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Acidity Regulators [INS 501(ii), 500(ii)]
- Vitamins
9 teaspoons of sugar in every 100 g · 46 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon
| Energy | 377 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 79 g |
| Total sugars | 46 g |
| Added sugars | 13.5 g |
| Total fat | 2 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.4 g |
| Trans fat | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 5 mg |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
| Iron | 26 mg |
| Zinc | 8.3 mg |
| Copper | 0.65 mg |
| Calcium | 741 mg |
| Iodine | 139 µg |
| Chloride | 565 mg |
| Magnesium | 65 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Selenium | 74 µg |
| Vitamin C | 148 mg |
| Vitamin E | 2.5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Vitamin A | 741 µg |
| Vitamin B1 | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 3 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 17 mg |
| Vitamin B5 | 1.4 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 3.7 mg |
| Vitamin D | 9.3 µg |
| Folic acid | 370 µg |
| Vitamin B7 | 9 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.9 µg |
Think this score is wrong?
What to know about Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container
A fortified malt drink, mostly carbohydrate and sugar
Horlicks Classic Malt is a malt-based drink powder: malt at 66.7% (barley 32%, wheat flour, wheat, millet), milk solids at 14%, sugar, wheat gluten and soy protein isolate, with minerals, iodised salt, two acidity regulators and vitamins. It comes as 2 x 500 g refills with a free container, and is bought mainly for children and growing teenagers as a daily milk drink.
Per 100 g the powder has 377 kcal, 11 g protein, 79 g carbohydrate, 46 g total sugar (13.5 g of it added) and about 400 mg sodium. The pack suggests 27 g, three spoons, in 200 ml of milk or water, twice a day. One serve is about 102 kcal, 3 g protein, 3.6 g added sugar and 108 mg sodium.
The front shows protein 11 g, calcium 741 mg and iron 26 mg, but these are per 100 g of powder, not per cup. A serve gives about 3 g protein, 200 mg calcium and 7 mg iron. The pack also cites a study on children aged 6 to 16. CleanPlate scores it [F]CB3.
Why Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container scores [F]CB3
Nutrition is a C only because of added vitamins and minerals; without them it would be an E. Ingredients are a B with no additives of concern, and risk is a 3, driven by sodium and sugar.
Adequate nutrient density
- Protein
- 11 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- 22 declared
- Energy
- 377 kcal
01 Nutrition density: why C
The core grade is zero: protein is 11 g per 100 g and no fibre is declared, while carbohydrate is 79 g. About 5 g of protein per 100 g comes from soy protein isolate.
The C comes from the fortification bonus. Iron, calcium, zinc, vitamins A, C, D and several B vitamins are added, and that lifts the grade from an E. A serve is about 102 kcal, so the energy is modest per cup.
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.
Good, few concerning additives
- Base
- Malt, Wheat, Millet)
- Sweeteners
- Sugar
- Additives
- 2
- Flagged
- None
02 Ingredient integrity: why B
Malt and milk solids lead, which are plain, recognisable foods. The two acidity regulators, 500(ii) and 501(ii), are carbonates and cost no ingredient points.
Points are lost mainly on the label: only malt and milk solids carry a percentage, while sugar, wheat gluten, soy protein isolate, minerals and vitamins have none. No hollow promise is found, so no label-integrity penalty applies.
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
Moderate risk
- Added sugar
- 13.5 g
- Sodium
- 400 mg
- Saturated fat
- 1.4 g
- Trans fat
- 0.1 g
03 Load risk: why 3
Sodium is the largest part of the risk number, at about 400 mg per 100 g, and added sugar follows at 13.5 g per 100 g. Energy adds a smaller share at 377 kcal per 100 g.
Saturated fat is low at 1.4 g per 100 g and trans fat is 0.1 g, with no hydrogenated fat listed. Per serve, sugar is 3.6 g and sodium 108 mg, which is why the risk lands on a 3.
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
[F] Added vitamins or minerals meaningfully lift this product's nutrition grade. Without them it would score lower.
Red flags
- −Red flag: High added sugar (13.5g per 100g)
Green flags
Nothing stands out in its favour.
Does Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container live up to its claims?
The malt and the per-100 g protein, calcium and iron figures hold. The clinical and immunity claims are true-but-framed: a serve gives about 3 g protein, not 11 g.
- On the packHolds
“Malt Based Food”
Malt is 66.7% of the powder, with barley at 32%, plus wheat flour, wheat and millet.
- On the packHolds
“Protein 11g, Calcium 741mg, Iron 26mg”
The figures match the panel, but they are per 100 g of powder. One 27 g serve gives about 3 g protein, 200 mg calcium and 7 mg iron.
- On the packBe careful
“Clinically Proven”
The pack cites a study on children aged 6 to 16. The result applies to that study group and the daily serve used there, not to any single cup.
- On the packBe careful
“Taller, Stronger, Sharper”
The pack links this to bone area, muscle mass and attention scores in school children. It is a study finding, not a promise for every drinker, and the drink is meant to sit alongside regular meals.
- On the packBe careful
“Supports Immunity”
Added vitamins A, C, D, zinc and iron are real, with 148 mg vitamin C per 100 g. The powder is also 46 g sugar per 100 g, so it is a fortified drink, not an immunity product on its own.
What's in Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container?
Malt and milk solids lead the list, followed by sugar, wheat gluten and soy protein isolate. Watch the added sugar and the missing percentages.
The ingredient list, read for you
Malt (66.7%) comes first, made from barley (32%), wheat flour (atta), wheat and millet, followed by milk solids (14%). Sugar, wheat gluten and soy protein isolate add sweetness and protein. Minerals, iodised salt and vitamins are the fortification, and the two acidity regulators are carbonates that control acidity.
Ingredients to watch
- Added sugarWorth watching
13.5 g per 100 g, 3.6 g per serve. Total sugar is 46 g per 100 g, which also includes sugars from malt and milk.
- SodiumWorth watching
About 400 mg per 100 g, 108 mg per serve. It is the biggest part of the risk number.
- Missing percentagesWorth watching
Only malt and milk solids have a declared share. Sugar, wheat gluten and soy protein isolate do not, so the sugar share in the base is not stated.
- Added vitamins and mineralsFine
Iron 26 mg, calcium 741 mg and 370 mcg folic acid per 100 g, with zinc and vitamins A, C, D and B12 also added. These lift the nutrition grade.
- Acidity regulatorsFine
500(ii) and 501(ii) are carbonates and cost no ingredient points. Saturated fat is low at 1.4 g per 100 g.
What it doesn’t have
- No dietary fibre figure is given.
- No percentage is declared for sugar, wheat gluten or soy protein isolate.
Who should eat Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container?
A few times a week for most adults and children. People watching blood sugar or weight should keep it occasional, since a serve has 3.6 g added sugar.
- Most adultsA few times a week
A serve has about 102 kcal and 3.6 g added sugar; two serves double that.
- ChildrenA few times a week
Iron and calcium are added, but two daily serves bring 7.3 g added sugar.
- Diabetes or prediabetesOccasionally
79 g carbohydrate and 46 g total sugar per 100 g.
- Weight managementOccasionally
377 kcal per 100 g, and the milk it is mixed with adds more.
Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container: common questions
What is the CleanPlate score of Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container?
Horlicks Classic Malt is a malt and milk drink powder, stirred into milk or water and sold with added vitamins and minerals. It scores [F]CB3: nutrition is middling only because of that fortification, ingredients are fairly clean with no additives of concern, and risk is moderate from sugar and sodium. A reasonable cup a few times a week, not a daily must. Nutrition C, ingredients B, load risk 3; 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 Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container?
Per 100 g, Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container has 377 kcal, 11 g protein, 79 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat and 1.4 g saturated fat. One serve (3 spoons, 27 g) has 102 kcal and 3 g protein.
What are the ingredients in Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container?
9 ingredients, in label order: Malt (Barley, Wheat Flour (Atta), Wheat, Millet), Milk Solids, Sugar, Wheat Gluten, Minerals, Edible Iodized Salt, Soy Protein Isolate, Acidity Regulators [INS 501(ii), 500(ii)], Vitamins.
Does Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container live up to its claims?
5 claims checked: 2 hold, 3 need care. "Clinically Proven" needs care: The pack cites a study on children aged 6 to 16. The result applies to that study group and the daily serve used there, not to any single cup. "Taller, Stronger, Sharper" needs care: The pack links this to bone area, muscle mass and attention scores in school children. It is a study finding, not a promise for every drinker, and the drink is meant to sit alongside regular meals.
Who should limit Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container?
Most adults: a few times a week. A serve has about 102 kcal and 3.6 g added sugar; two serves double that. Children: a few times a week. Iron and calcium are added, but two daily serves bring 7.3 g added sugar. Diabetes or prediabetes: occasionally. 79 g carbohydrate and 46 g total sugar per 100 g.
How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container have?
Per 100 g, Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix - Free Container has 13.5 g added sugar, 400 mg sodium (about 1 g salt) and 1.4 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 sugar.
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .
Label read on 29 October 2026, from photos of the pack. If the pack has changed since, tell us.
Score history (1)
| Date | Score | Method | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 October 2026 | CB3 | v5.0 | First scored |
Every change to this score is logged. See corrections and the method changelog.
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