FAQ's
Below are a few of the most frequently asked questions we get asked here at Horlicks. If you can't find the information you're looking for, you can get in touch with us by clicking here.
Horlicks Malted Food Drink is not specially formulated to be an infant food; so we don't recommend its use for babies under one year old. Although Horlicks was once considered suitable for infants, scientific knowledge has now advanced, leading to the formulation of international guidelines regarding the composition of breast milk substitutes. The composition of Horlicks does not fall within these guidelines and is not formulated to do so.
Horlicks is not positioned as, nor should be used as, a breast milk or infant formula substitute, since it does not contain all the nutrients essential for a baby's healthy growth and development. Also, Horlicks contains relatively high levels of dissolved solids with which the developing kidneys of a baby may be unable to cope.
Once the child grows older and they have reached the age of one year, Horlicks can be introduced in small amounts, as part of a varied, well-balanced diet.
The current dietary advice for anyone with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) is to follow a healthy, balanced diet low in fat, particularly saturated fat.
Diabetes UK advises that individuals with diabetes consume starchy carbohydrates (particularly those high in fibre) at each meal and that sugars can be eaten in limited amounts as part of a healthy balanced diet (see www.diabetes.org.uk).
The carbohydrate and sugar content of the Horlicks Light Malt range varies depending on the flavour of product. The sugars present in Horlicks include lactose (milk sugar); maltose (present as a result of the breakdown of cereals during processing); as well as sucrose, which is added to give Horlicks its traditional malty flavour and add to the palatability of the malt drink.
You can find out the carbohydrate content of all our products by visiting our Products section, where you can download a PDF of more detailed nutrition information for each of the products in the Horlicks range.
All Horlicks Light Malt products are low in fat, and so can be enjoyed by people with diabetes if consumed as part of a well-balanced, low fat diet.
Discuss this with your doctor or dietician before changing your diet however, as each person has individual dietary requirements.
The current dietary advice for anyone with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) is to follow a healthy, balanced diet low in fat, particularly saturated fat.
Diabetes UK advises that individuals with diabetes consume starchy carbohydrates (particularly those high in fibre) at each meal and that sugars can be eaten in limited amounts as part of a healthy balanced diet (see www.diabetes.org.uk).
Horlicks Original provides 73.4g of carbohydrate per 100g, of which 40.9g is present as sugars. These sugars include: lactose (milk sugar); maltose (which is present as a result of the breakdown of the cereals during processing); as well as sucrose (added to give the traditional flavour and to increase palatability of Horlicks). A 25g serving of Horlicks Original, therefore, provides 18g of carbohydrate of which 10.2g is present as sugars. Please note that this is for the powder only. When made up with 200ml semi-skimmed milk, Horlicks provides 27.8g carbohydrate of which 19.6g is present as sugars.
Provided that the total carbohydrate content of Horlicks is counted as part of your overall diet, you should be able to continue to enjoy Horlicks.
You can find out the carbohydrate content of all our products by visiting our Products section, where you can download a PDF of more detailed nutrition information for each of the products in the Horlicks range.
Horlicks can be consumed during pregnancy, about once a day as part of a well-balanced diet is fine. However, Horlicks does contain vitamin A which some pregnant women choose to monitor over the course of their pregnancy.
In the unlikelihood you suffer any ill effects from consuming Horlicks then we would recommend that you discontinue use immediately and consult your GP or obstetrician who will be able to advise you further.
Please note that Horlicks should not be used as a breast milk (or infant formula) substitute, since it does not contain all the nutrients essential for a baby's healthy growth and development. Horlicks contains relatively high levels of dissolved solids with which the developing kidneys of a baby may be unable to cope. It is also recommended that milk should not be given as a drink to children under the age of 1 year.
One 25g serving of Horlicks Original made using 200ml of semi-skimmed milk (as directed on pack) contains 0.21g sodium chloride (salt) which is present in the product to naturally enhance the flavour.
You can find out the salt content of all our products by visiting our Products section, where you can download a PDF of more detailed nutrition information for each of the products in the Horlicks range.
If you are concerned about the salt content of Horlicks in the context of high blood pressure, your GP should be able to advise you further.
A number of GSK products contain whey. The Horlicks range of products (Horlicks Original and Horlicks Light Malt) contains whey which is produced using either microbiological rennet or a plant-based alternative, rather than rennet produced from animal sources.
The Horlicks Light Malt range, made up with water, has a fat content which is lower than that of Horlicks Original, made up with semi-skimmed milk (as directed on the pack). Compared to a fat content of 4.6g per serving for Horlicks Original, made up with semi-skimmed milk, the fat content of the Horlicks Light Malt range varies between 1.0g to 2.5g per serve.
The products in the Horlicks Light Malt range all carry a "low in fat" claim.
Current legislation allows a low fat claim to be made on a drink if it contains less than 1.5g fat per 100ml and the Horlicks Light Malt products comply with this when made up as directed, with water.
You can find out the fat content of all our products by visiting our Products section, where you can download a PDF of more detailed nutrition information for each of the products in the Horlicks range.
Yes. All Horlicks products in the Original and Light Malt range contain both wheat and malted barley and, therefore, contain gluten.
When made up as directed on pack (i.e. with 200ml water), the energy (measured as Calories (kcal) or kilojoules (kJ)) content of a 32g serving (1 sachet or 2 - 3 scoops) of Horlicks Light Malt in 200ml waters, is as follows:
Horlicks Light Malt: 120 kcal (507kJ)
Horlicks Light Malt Chocolate: 122 kcal (519kJ)
Horlicks Light Malt Caramel Dream: 117kcal (496kJ)
You can find out the energy content of all our products by visiting our Products section, where you can download a PDF of more detailed nutrition information for each of the products in the Horlicks range.
The table below shows the fat content of the different Horlicks products when made up as directed on pack:
Method of preparation / Fat content per serving
Horlicks Original: 25g powder in 200ml semi-skimmed milk / 4.6g
Horlicks Light Malt: 32g powder in 200ml water / 1.2g
Horlicks Light Malt Chocolate: 32g powder in 200ml water / 2.5g
Horlicks Light Malt Caramel Dream: 32g powder in 200ml water / 1.0g
If Horlicks Original is made up with whole milk the fat content per serving will be higher than if made up with semi-skimmed milk, at 8.8g fat per serving and lower if made up with skimmed milk, at 1.35g fat per serve.
Horlicks Original, and Horlicks Light Malt are caffeine free.
However, our Horlicks Light Malt Chocolate does contain some caffeine, as it is a cocoa containing product. Per 32g serve (made up with water as directed on pack) there is approximately 0.6mg of caffeine. To put this figure in perspective, an average cup of coffee will contain approximately 75mg of caffeine.
Horlicks Original and Horlicks Light Malt do not, to the best of our knowledge, contain any nut or peanut products as specified in the allergen labelling regulations. However, whilst we take all reasonable precautions and exercise due diligence in auditing and checking our suppliers and processes, we cannot guarantee that contamination of ingredients has not occurred at some point in the supply chain.
A hot milky drink taken before bed is one of the traditional remedies for sleeplessness. Horlicks Malted Food Drink has been used for years as an aid for restful sleep.
A combination of the regular bedtime routine induced by making a nightly mug of Horlicks, plus the soothing and relaxing malt flavour of the drink, combined with the nourishing properties of the dairy and cereal ingredients is a great way to encourage sleep.
Hydrogenated vegetable fat has been removed from the Horlicks range and only trace amounts of trans fats naturally present in milk remain. Revised labelling to reflect this formulation change will shortly appear on packs. There will be a period of time when the previous formulation will remain in trade as it new stock replaces it.
Throughout this process we have taken care to ensure that Horlicks retains its unique malty flavour.
No, there is no coconut oil in Horlicks Original or the Light Malt range.
The Horlicks product range all contain a non-hydrogenated palm oil, sourced from the Elaeis guinensis palm tree.
Previously, our Horlicks Hot Chocolate drink contained a small amount of coconut oil but this product has now been de-listed from the Horlicks range and is no longer sold in the UK.
All of our Horlicks products are certified Halal by the Halal Food Authority and are suitable for Muslim diets.
The whey protein used in the Horlicks products is suitable for vegetarians because it is produced using either a microbiological rennet or a plant-based alternative, rather than rennet produced from animal sources.