How to read a fruit beverage label in India
Start with the ingredients list. Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight at the time of manufacture, so the first items are the largest part of the drink. In a ready-to-serve fruit beverage the list usually starts with water, and sugar often comes next.
What does the percentage next to the fruit mean?
A figure such as “Mango Pulp (12%)” is the share of that fruit ingredient in the recipe. Compare it across brands before you compare anything else, because it is the clearest sign of how much fruit a drink contains.
What are INS numbers?
INS stands for International Numbering System, a code for food additives. On an Indian label the number sits after the job the additive does, for example “Preservative (INS 202)”. These are the codes found on Kinu packs:
| Code | What it is |
|---|---|
| INS 330 | Citric acid (acidity regulator) |
| INS 440 | Pectin (a fruit-derived thickener) |
| INS 202 | Potassium sorbate (preservative) |
| INS 300 | Ascorbic acid (antioxidant) |
| INS 110 and INS 102 | Sunset yellow FCF and tartrazine (colours, in Orange) |
| INS 122 | Carmoisine (colour, in Jeera Kokam) |
What does “nature-identical and artificial flavouring substances” mean?
It is the declaration used when flavour has been added to a product. It tells you the taste is not coming from the fruit alone. Every Kinu flavour lists added flavours.
Where do I see added colours?
Look for a line such as “Contains added colours” and the INS numbers beside it. Orange and Jeera Kokam contain added colours; the other four flavours do not list any.
How do I compare two drinks fairly?
Compare the same quantity, such as per 100 ml, not per bottle, because bottle sizes differ. Then compare fruit percentage and the ingredients list. For Kinu, every flavour page shows its fruit content and ingredients, and the Quality and licences page lists our FSSAI licence number.