Independent laboratory finding
Horlicks Protein Plus: Citizens Protein Project 2 finding (2025)
Last checked 19 September 2026. A few details are still being checked against the original document.
The Citizens Protein Project 2 (14 Nov 2025) measured 38.09 g protein per 100 g in Horlicks Protein Plus and flagged undeclared fructose, taurine; no FSSAI action is on record as of 19 Sep 2026.
- Classification
- Independent lab test finding: Lab-flagged (independent test)
- Tested by
- No regulator action; independent test result (Citizens Protein Project 2, published study)
- Reference
- Citizens Protein Project 2, Medicine, 14 Nov 2025; per-product data from protein-project.pages.dev (extracted 19 Sep 2026)
- Latest action
- 14 November 2025
- Last checked
- 19 September 2026details being verified
Horlicks malted milk glass jar (Auckland Museum collection). Photo: Jar, malted milk (AM 1997.80.57-1).jpg by Horlicks Ltd (CC BY 4.0). Brand names and logos belong to their owners and are used here to identify the product this entry is about. All photo credits.
The Citizens Protein Project 2: the first publicly funded study of protein supplements in India
No regulator has acted on this finding. It comes from a published study or a private testing company, and the brand may dispute it.
Scope. A record here does not by itself mean a product or company is unsafe or banned today. Regulatory actions can apply to one batch, one formulation, one period or one state. Always check the linked government document for the current position, and tell us if something is out of date. How we label records.
Below: Blacklisted's explanationWe explain what the test or study found. No regulator has acted on it.
Key facts
- Brand
- Hindustan Unilever
- Study category
- General
- Protein measured
- 38.09 g per 100 g
- Pack and price tested
- 400g at Rs 675
- Heavy metals
- None above limit of quantification
- Aflatoxin (total)
- Below limit of quantification
- Progesterone
- Below limit of quantification
- Undeclared sugar
- fructose 1.51 g/100 g
- Taurine
- 26.54 mg/100 g
- Regulator action
- None on record
Horlicks Protein Plus was one of 34 products tested in the Citizens Protein Project 2, published in Medicine on 14 Nov 2025. The laboratory measured 38.09 g protein per 100 g and reported: undeclared fructose 1.51 g/100 g; taurine 26.54 mg/100 g. Horlicks Protein Plus was close to label on protein but showed fructose not declared and taurine at about 26.5 mg per 100 g; no heavy metals, aflatoxin or hormones.
Figures are from the project's results site; units for metals, hormones and aflatoxin are being checked against the paper. No FSSAI action on the product is on record.
What this means for you
Detected is not the same as over the limit
The study reports what the laboratory found. Aflatoxin figures are below FSSAI's limit of 20 µg/kg for foods not specified; heavy-metal and hormone figures are reported without a limit comparison and units are being verified.
Undeclared sugar and taurine are label questions
Sucrose or fructose not on the label, and taurine that can inflate protein readings, are the study's main concerns for medical powders.
This is a record of official orders, not medical advice. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without asking your doctor or pharmacist.
Official sources and primary records
- The Citizens Protein Project 2: the first publicly funded study of protein supplements in IndiaStudyMedicine (Wolters Kluwer) · 14 November 2025
- Citizens Protein Project 2 results site (per-product lab data)StudyCitizens Protein Project
- Citizens Protein Project 2 (PMC full text)StudyPubMed Central
- Introducing the Citizens Protein Project TwoStudyMESH India