Core Ingredients: The Cereal Base and Vegetables
Saffola Oats Spicy Mexicana is built on a foundation of whole grains, providing dietary fiber and other essential nutrients. The core ingredients, according to the official ingredient lists, are not just oats, but a blend of cereals.
Cereal Mix
Rolled Oats are the primary ingredient (52%), providing protein and fiber. Jowar Millet (16%), also known as sorghum, is another whole grain included.
Dehydrated Vegetables
Dehydrated vegetables are added for flavor and texture, such as Corn (2.4%), Carrot (2.1%), French Beans (1%), and Green Bell Pepper (0.5%).
The Flavorful Seasoning Blend
The 'Spicy Mexicana' flavor comes from a seasoning mix.
Seasoning Components
The blend includes ingredients like Sugar, Iodized Salt, Spices (Onion, Garlic & Pepper), Maltodextrin, Flavoring Substances, Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein, Flavor Enhancers (INS 627, INS 631), and Refined Rice Bran Oil.
Comparison Table: Spicy Mexicana vs. Plain Rolled Oats
| Feature | Saffola Oats Spicy Mexicana | Plain Rolled Oats (Unflavored) | 
|---|---|---|
| Core Ingredients | Rolled Oats (52%), Jowar Millet (16%) | 100% Rolled Oats | 
| Flavoring | Added seasoning mix with spices, flavor enhancers, and sugar | None (Natural flavor of oats) | 
| Added Veggies | Dehydrated Corn, Carrot, French Beans, Green Bell Pepper | None | 
| Sodium Content | Significantly higher due to seasoning (e.g., 2077 mg per 100g) | Very low (e.g., typically <10 mg per 100g) | 
| Total Sugars | Higher (e.g., 11.2 g per 100g) | Very low (e.g., typically <1 g per 100g) | 
| Dietary Fiber | High (e.g., 8.9 g per 100g) | High (e.g., 10.4 g per 100g) | 
| Nutritional Profile | Contains additives, higher sodium and sugar, but still good source of fiber | Pure and unadulterated, highest fiber content per 100g | 
Allergens and Other Information
The product contains oats and soy and may contain traces of other gluten-containing cereals. It is listed as vegetarian.
A Note on Processed Ingredients
As a processed food, Saffola Oats Spicy Mexicana includes certain ingredients like flavor enhancers (INS 627 and INS 631) typical for convenience foods.
Conclusion: Flavor vs. Purity
Saffola Oats Spicy Mexicana offers a flavorful and convenient option with a blend of whole grains, dehydrated vegetables, refined oil, and a seasoning blend containing flavor enhancers and sugar. While providing fiber, it has higher sodium and sugar content compared to plain oats. The bold taste comes with a level of processing {Link: iShopIndian.com https://www.ishopindian.com/saffola-masala-oats-spicy-mexicana}.
Related Products and Flavors
Saffola offers other Masala Oats flavors like Veggie Twist, Peppy Tomato, and Classic Masala. More details on food products can be found on {Link: Open Food Facts https://world.openfoodfacts.org/}.