AmulDairy Beverages#5 of 5 in categoryRating 2.7/5

Amul Kool Kesar Flavoured Milk

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains Sunset Yellow FCF
  • Red flag: Contains Tartrazine
  • Red flag: High added sugar (7.3g per 100ml)

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (2.9g)
  • Green flag: Low sodium

Ingredients, decoded

6 listed
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DC3

Nutrition per 100 ml
DNutritionCIngredients3Risk
VerdictFAIR
Energy88.3 kcal
Protein2.9 g
Carbohydrates12 g
Total sugars12 g
Added sugars7.3 g
Total fat3 g
Saturated fat1.8 g
Trans fat0 g
Cholesterol9 mg
Sodium40 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Real milk, with two dyes and added sugar on top

Kool Kesar is a favourite chilled drink, and it starts with a genuinely good base: toned milk. What goes into it after that is where the score comes from.

CleanPlate scores it [R]DC3. The D for nutrition reflects a drink whose protein is diluted by sugar and water compared with plain milk. The C for ingredients reflects two synthetic azo dyes and artificial flavouring. The 3 for risk comes from added sugar.

Claims vs reality

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

  • Product name

    “Kesar Flavoured”

    Partly true

    No saffron is listed; the kesar taste is artificial flavouring and the colour comes from two synthetic dyes. The name does say "flavoured".

How DC3 breaks down

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

How we score →
01 Nutritional valueA to E
D

Low nutrient density

Protein
2.9 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
88 kcal

Scored on eight nutrients (protein, fibre, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, D and zinc), per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E
C

Mixed processing and additives

Base
Toned Milk
Sweeteners
Sugar
Additives
0
Flagged
Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow FCF
Artificial flavour or colour
Yes

Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
3

Moderate risk

Added sugar
7.3 g
Sodium
40 mg
Saturated fat
1.8 g
Trans fat
0 g

Scored on added sugar, sodium and saturated fat, with a penalty for trans fat.

[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?

The ingredients are toned milk, milk solids, sugar, two synthetic food colours and an artificial kesar flavouring. The name says kesar, but saffron itself is not on the list.

Added sugar is 7.3 g per 100 ml, so a 200 ml serve is about 15 g, roughly three teaspoons.

Ingredients to watch

  • Tartrazine (INS 102) and Sunset Yellow (INS 110)Concern

    Synthetic azo dyes linked to hyperactivity in some children in the 2007 Southampton study. Purely cosmetic.

  • Added sugarWorth watching

    7.3 g per 100 ml, high for a drink.

  • Artificial kesar flavouringWorth watching

    The saffron taste is flavouring, not saffron.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "It is kesar milk, so it has saffron"

The flavour is artificial and the colour is two synthetic dyes. Saffron is not in the ingredient list.

Myth: "It is milk, so it is as good as milk"

The milk is real, but sugar and dyes come with it. Plain milk with a pinch of real saffron is a better choice.

Myth: "Food colours are all tested and harmless"

These two are permitted in India, but Europe requires a warning label on them. For children in particular, avoiding them is reasonable.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsAn occasional treat
  • ChildrenRarely; prefer undyed flavoured milk
  • DiabetesBest avoided

Smarter ways to eat it

Make it at home

Warm milk with a few strands of real saffron and a crushed cardamom pod, sweetened lightly. Chill it for the same experience with no dyes.

Look for undyed

If you buy flavoured milk, check the list for INS 102 and 110 and pick one without them.

Common questions

Is Amul Kool Kesar Flavoured Milk healthy?

Amul Kool Kesar Flavoured Milk scores DC3 (Fair) on CleanPlate, which makes it an occasional-use product, where the concerns start to outweigh the positives. The main concerns are: Contains Sunset Yellow FCF; Contains Tartrazine; High added sugar (7.3g per 100ml). On the plus side: Source of protein (2.9g); Low sodium.

What does the DC3 score mean?

The first letter (D) grades nutritional value: 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.

Which ingredients in Amul Kool Kesar Flavoured Milk should I watch?

Synthetic Food Colour (INS 102) (Tartrazine), Synthetic Food Colour (INS 110) (Sunset Yellow FCF).

Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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