"Snacc Peri Peri makhana made with real spices, no preservatives"

Clean Label Snacks Decoded: How to Read Indian Snack Labels (INS Codes Explained)

 

What “Clean Label Snacks” Really Means (No BS Edition)| SNACC India

“Clean label” isn’t a vibe. It’s a checklist: Real ingredients you recognise, no INS- coded additives, no artificial flavours, no maltodextrin, no preservatives, and clear percentages where it matters. That’s the Snacc line in the sand: ingredient- first, radical clarity, 0 INS codes. 

How Snacc defines clean: Real spices and seasonings, minimal clean oils (rice bran oil), no preservatives like citric/malic acids, no flavour enhancers (INS 635/627/631), no fillers like maltodextrin, no palm oil. 

Want to see what clean label snacks actually look like? Check out Snacc’s ingredient lists- 72% makhana, 99% almonds, 0% INS codes. 

INS Codes 101 (So you don’t need a chem degree)

An INS code is a shorthand for an additive. Some are harmless, others are exactly why your namkeen reads like lab notes. Here are the ones you’ll see a lot- and why we pass:

The 5 Most Common INS Codes in Indian Snacks (And What They Actually Do)

• INS 631 / 627 / 635 (flavour enhancers): Create that addictive savoury “oomph.” Many mass brands lean on these instead of real spices. Snacc uses none.

• INS 330 / 331 (acidity regulators): Add tang and help preserve; often used to fake freshness. Snacc skips these and uses real dehydrated lemon/veg where flavour calls for tang.

• INS 320 / 321 (BHA/BHT, synthetic antioxidants): Extend shelf life; we avoid them entirely. Our nuts are simply roasted; no synthetic antioxidants.

• Why brands use them: cost savings, consistent flavour, extended shelf life. Why Snacc doesn’t: Real spices do the job; our recipes are built for taste without the shortcuts. 

How to Read a Snack Label (Like an ingredient detective)

  1. Start with the base: How much of the hero ingredient is actually in there? If it’s makhana, what’s the %age? (We say it up front: 67-72% makhana depending on flavour.) 

  2. Check the oil: “Edible vegetable oil” = vague. Could be palm oil. We clearly state rice bran oil (minimal spray) because… clarity. 

  3. Seasoning = real or “flavour”? Real herbs/spices vs “nature-identical” lab flavourings. We go real (oregano, basil, mint leaves, peri peri spice). 

  4. Spot the INS codes: any 3-digit code (e.g., INS 635/330/320) = an additive. We keep them off our packs. Full stop. 

Red Flag Phrases That Sound Innocent But Aren’t

  • “Edible vegetable oil” → translation: could be palm or any cheap refined oil. Demand specifics (We use rice bran oil).

  • “Natural flavoring” → can still be lab-synthesised; not the same as kitchen-shelf herbs.

  • “Contains real [ingredient]” → cool, but what %age? 0.1% still “counts. We publish the numbers. 

  • “No added preservatives” → sometimes hides INS 330 (citric acid) as an “acidity regulator”. Read the fine print.

The “Uh-Oh” List (What we avoid on principle)

  • Maltodextrin bulking (cheap flavour filler)

  • Citric acid preservatives masquerading as “regulators”

  • Artificial flavours (“pudina flavour,” “Italian flavour”)

  • Flavour enhancers (INS 631/627/635)

  • Synthetic antioxidants (INS 320/321)
    We don’t use these- Ever. 

How Most Snack Brands Fail the Clean Label Test (And How Snacc Passes)

  1. Maltodextrin Issue

    • Most brands: Cheap flavour bulking → energy crash vibes and inflammatory chatter. 

    • Snacc: Peri Peri Makhana uses 5.69% real mixed spices (chili, pepper). 0% maltodextrin.

  2. Citric Acid Issue

    • Most brands: Add citric acid (INS 330) for preservation → gut acidity complaints are common. 

    • Snacc: Italian Makhana leans on 5.72% real dehydrated veg (garlic, onion, lemon) for natural tang. 0% citric acid. 

  3. Artificial Flavour Issue

    • Most brands: “Pudina flavour” or “mint flavour” (lab-made, zero food value). 

    • Snacc: Pudina Makhana has 3.12% actual dried mint leaves- you can literally see them. 

  4. Flavour Enhancers Issue

    • Most brands: INS 635/627/631 to fake savoury punch. 

    • Snacc: BBQ Makhana = 6.26% real chili + natural spice blend. 0% flavour enhancers.

  5. Synthetic Antioxidants Issue

    • Most brands: BHA/BHT (INS 320/321) to stretch shelf life. 

    • Snacc: Roasted Almonds - Salted are dry-roasted: 99% almonds, 1% salt. No synthetic antioxidants. 

Pro-tip: If you want to go deeper, bookmark these explainers (coming soon):
maltodextrin • INS 635 • rice bran oil • compare snack labels • makhana vs popcorn

These aren’t just snacks- they’re proof that clean labels work without compromise. Shop Snacc’s transparent collection: 5 makhana flavours, premium dry-roasted nuts, all under 100 calories. → /products/himalayan-salt-pepper-makhana & /collections/dry-fruits

 

 

What Snacc Customers Say About Label Transparency

Simran: “Finally, a snack that doesn’t hide what’s inside. The makhana’s fresh, real, and junk-free. It’s like honesty in a crunch.”

 
Rohit: “I read ingredients now (adulting, I guess 😅) and Snacc was the first one that didn’t make me Google anything. Clean label, no INS codes, no random numbers, just things I actually know. The Italian Cashews taste too good to be this clean!”

 
Naina: “Every brand says ‘healthy’ and then hides a bunch of junk. SNACC’s the first one that actually feels honest- no additives, just clean ingredients that taste great. Finally, a snack I can trust.” 

Where to Go Next (Interlinks you’ll love)

Ready to snack without the label anxiety? Browse Snacc’s full lineup where every ingredient is named, nothing is hidden. → /collections/makhana & /collections/dry-fruits

FAQs (Clean-label quick hits)

Q1. Do Snacc products use any INS codes at all?
No. Our clean-label spec is explicit: 0 INS codes- no flavour enhancers (635/627/631), no citric acid 330, no synthetic antioxidants 320/321. 

Q2. Why do your makhana flavours list exact % for spices and herbs?
Because transparency > buzzwords. Example: Peri Peri Makhana = 5.69% real mixed spices; Pudina = 3.12% actual mint leaves. 

Q3. Is “edible vegetable oil” the same as rice bran oil?
Nope. “Edible vegetable oil” is vague; we specify rice bran oil (minimal spray) on every pack. 

Q4. How do I quickly compare snack labels at the store?
Check the top 3: base %, oil type, and any INS codes in the seasoning. If you spot INS 635 (or cousins), or maltodextrin, put it back. 

Q5. Why makhana over popcorn?
Cleaner base, air-popped, flavour built with real spices. We’re publishing a full makhana vs popcorn breakdown soon. 

Ready to snack smarter? Explore clean label snacks by SNACC — made with real ingredients, no additives, no INS codes.
👉 Shop Makhana Collection ↗

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