Mr. Makhana Black Salt Flavoured Makhana
Red flags
- −Red flag: Contains Maltodextrin
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (7.1g)
- +Green flag: Source of fibre
- +Green flag: No added sugar
Ingredients, decoded
6 listed- Makhana (Popped Lotus Seeds) 75%
- Olive Oil 18%
- Maltodextrin
- Black Salt
- Acidity Regulators [E330 and E334]
- Anti Caking Agents [E551 and [E341(ii)]
Our take
CleanPlate reviewBlack salt makhana that is not calcium rich
Mr. Makhana Black Salt Flavoured Makhana lists makhana (75%), olive oil (18%), maltodextrin, black salt, two acidity regulators and two anticaking agents including calcium phosphate, and declares added flavouring (ghee). The pack is 55 g and the panel is printed per 100 g with a 25 g serve.
CleanPlate scores it [L]DB2. The D for nutrition is low: only 3.7 g fibre per 100 g and little else credited; its 7.1 g of protein earns no credit because it is under 2.75 g per 100 kcal. The declared iron and zinc figure is not credited because the ingredients cannot supply it. The B for ingredients reflects a mix of whole and refined ingredients (led by makhana, olive oil and maltodextrin), with additives that cost points: calcium phosphates, silicon dioxide and added flavouring, declared under the ingredient list. The [L] marks a hollow label promise: the claim "Calcium Rich" does not hold: "Calcium Rich" on the front and back, but calcium is 44 mg per 100 g = 4.4% of the 1000 mg RDA, under the 15% source line and the 30% rich line (D.1). The 2 for risk is low: sodium, free sugar and saturated fat are all modest (sodium 196 mg, free sugar 0 g, saturated fat 3 g per 100 g).
Claims vs reality
What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
- On the packMisleading
“Calcium Rich”
44 mg of calcium per 100 g is 4.4% of the 1000 mg daily need, under the 15% source line and the 30% rich line.
- On the packHolds
“Zero Trans Fat”
The panel prints trans fat as 0 g and no hydrogenated fat is listed.
- On the packHolds
“Roasted in Olive Oil”
Olive oil is 18% of the list.
- On the packBe careful
“Antioxidant”
A description of makhana, not a measured nutrient on the panel.
How DB2 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Low nutrient density
- Protein
- 7.1 g
- Fibre
- 3.7 g
- Vitamins and minerals
- 5 declared
- Energy
- 358 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.
Good, few concerning additives
- Base
- Makhana 75%
- Main fat
- Olive Oil 18%
- Sweeteners
- Maltodextrin
- Additives
- 4
- Flagged
- Maltodextrin
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
Low risk
- Added sugar
- 0 g
- Sodium
- 196.1 mg
- Saturated fat
- 3 g
- Trans fat
- 0 g
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
[L] The name or pack claims promise more than the ingredient list delivers. See Claims vs reality.
A closer look
Does the label add up?
Makhana (popped lotus seeds) 75%, olive oil 18%, maltodextrin, black salt, acidity regulators (INS 330 and 334) and anticaking agents (INS 551 and 341(ii)), with added natural, nature-identical and artificial flavouring (ghee) declared under the list.
Per 100 g: 358 kcal, 18.4 g fat of which 3 g saturated, 0.5 g sugar of which 0 g added, 3.7 g fibre, 7.1 g protein, 196 mg sodium. The panel has per serve and per 100 g columns; the per 100 g column was used. Carbohydrate (39.9 g) looks low for 75% makhana, but energy matches the Atwater sum (346 kcal against 357.6), so values are kept as printed. Vitamin D is printed in IU and converted at 40 IU = 1 mcg. Iron (6.0 mg) and zinc (5.2 mg) per 100 g are 4 to 6 times what 75% makhana and olive oil can supply, so neither is credited in the nutrition grade, each costs 2 label points, and the score is provisional.
Ingredients to watch
- Calcium claimConcern
Calcium Rich on the front and back, with 44 mg per 100 g, 4.4% of the daily need.
- Declared iron and zincWorth watching
6 mg of iron and 5.2 mg of zinc per 100 g are not credited because the ingredients cannot supply them.
- PhosphateWorth watching
Calcium phosphate (INS 341(ii)) as an anticaking agent costs 4 additive points, and the added artificial flavouring 2 more.
- Risk nutrientsFine
196 mg sodium, no added sugar and 3 g saturated fat per 100 g.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Calcium Rich" on the front
Calcium is 44 mg per 100 g; a glass of milk gives about 120 mg per 100 ml.
Myth: "Roasted not fried means low calorie"
The 18% olive oil brings the pack to 358 kcal per 100 g.
How often, and how
- Healthy adultsA few times a week
- ChildrenOccasionally
- Diabetes or prediabetesFine in moderation
Smarter ways to eat it
Count the serve
The 25 g serve on the pack is about 89 kcal.
Get calcium elsewhere
Curd, milk or ragi give far more calcium per serve.
Common questions
Is Mr. Makhana Black Salt Flavoured Makhana healthy?
Mr. Makhana Black Salt Flavoured Makhana scores DB2 (Fair) on CleanPlate, which makes it an occasional-use product, where the concerns start to outweigh the positives. The main concerns are: Contains Maltodextrin. On the plus side: Source of protein (7.1g); Source of fibre; No added sugar.
What does the DB2 score mean?
The first letter (D) grades nutritional value: low nutrient density. The second letter (B) grades ingredient and label integrity: good, few concerning additives. The number (2) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): low risk.
Which ingredients in Mr. Makhana Black Salt Flavoured Makhana should I watch?
Maltodextrin (Maltodextrin).
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.