VadilalFrozen Desserts#43 of 77 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Vadilal Matka Kulfi

Red flags

  • Red flag: High added sugar (15.5g per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (7.8g)

Green flags

  • Green flag: Low sodium

Ingredients, decoded

11 listed
  • Water
  • Milk Solids
  • Sugar
  • Almond (1.4 %)
  • Pistachio (0.7 %)
  • Cardamom Powder
  • Saffron
  • Emulsifier (471)
  • Stabilisers (412, 466,407)
  • Synthetic Food Colour (110, 102)
  • Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

High sugarHigh saturated fatNutrition per 100 g
ENutritionCIngredients3Risk
Energy212 kcal
Protein4 g
Carbohydrates21.4 g
Total sugars18.5 g
Added sugars15.5 g
Total fat12.3 g
Saturated fat7.8 g
Trans fat0 g
Cholesterol30 mg
Sodium62 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

A kulfi coloured with two synthetic dyes

Vadilal Matka Kulfi is a 100 ml matka of water, milk solids and sugar with almonds (1.4%), pistachio (0.7%), cardamom and saffron, stabilisers, an emulsifier, two synthetic colours and nature-identical flavouring. The panel is printed per 100 g.

CleanPlate scores it [R]EC3. The E for nutrition is low: almost no credited protein, fibre or micronutrients per 100 g. The C for ingredients reflects a mix of whole and refined ingredients (led by milk solids, sugar and almond), with additives that cost points: carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose, flavouring and tartrazine. A red flag (Southampton Six x2) cuts the score by 30%. The 3 for risk comes mainly from saturated fat (7.8 g per 100 g) and free sugar (15.5 g per 100 g).

Claims vs reality

What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.

  • Product name

    “Matka Kulfi”

    Partly true

    Almonds (1.4%) and pistachio (0.7%) are the only nuts, and saffron and cardamom are listed without percentages.

How EC3 breaks down

Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.

How we score →
01 Nutritional valueA to E
E

Very low nutrient density

Protein
4 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
212 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.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E
C

Mixed processing and additives

Base
Water
Sweeteners
Sugar
Additives
4
Flagged
None

Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
3

Moderate risk

Added sugar
15.5 g
Sodium
62 mg
Saturated fat
7.8 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.

[R] Contains an ingredient on our red-flag list (such as a partially hydrogenated oil or a flagged synthetic dye), which cuts the ingredient grade.

A closer look

Does the label add up?

Water, milk solids and sugar, then almonds (1.4%), pistachio (0.7%), cardamom powder, saffron, an emulsifier, stabilisers, two synthetic colours and nature-identical flavouring.

Per 100 g: 212 kcal, 12.3 g fat of which 7.8 g saturated, 18.5 g sugar of which 15.5 g added, 4 g protein, 62 mg sodium.

Ingredients to watch

  • Synthetic dyesConcern

    Tartrazine (102) and sunset yellow (110) are two of the Southampton Six, so the red flag applies.

  • Added sugarConcern

    15.5 g per 100 g, about two thirds of the 22.5 g high line.

  • Carrageenan and CMCWorth watching

    Each costs 6 points in the additives score.

  • Nuts and spicesFine

    Almonds, pistachio, cardamom and saffron are all listed as ingredients.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Matka kulfi is homemade-style"

The list has stabilisers, an emulsifier, two synthetic colours and flavouring.

Myth: "Kulfi has less sugar than ice cream"

This one has 15.5 g added sugar per 100 g.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsOccasionally
  • ChildrenRarely
  • Diabetes or prediabetesLimit

Smarter ways to eat it

Share the matka

Half a 100 g matka is about 106 kcal and 7.8 g of added sugar.

Look for the dye line

A kulfi without INS 102 or 110 avoids the red flag.

Common questions

Is Vadilal Matka Kulfi healthy?

Vadilal Matka Kulfi scores EC3 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: High added sugar (15.5g per 100g); High saturated fat (7.8g). On the plus side: Low sodium.

What does the EC3 score mean?

The first letter (E) grades nutritional value: very low nutrient density. The second letter (C) grades ingredient and label integrity: mixed processing and additives. The number (3) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): moderate risk.

Last reviewed October 16, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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