Why is Ramen Noodle Soup classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It receives a NOVA 4 rating because the noodles are pre‑cooked, contain refined flour, added flavor powders, and several food‑grade additives; the label lists monosodium glutamate (E621), disodium guanylate (E627), disodium inosinate (E631), silicon dioxide (E551) as an anti‑caking agent, and caramel colour (E150a) among others.

How does the sugar and salt content in this product affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 2.3 g of sugar per 100 g, the product adds only a modest amount of carbohydrate, but its 4.2 g of salt per 100 g is more than double the typical instant‑noodle level and can raise blood pressure, so people managing diabetes or hypertension should monitor portion size.

Is the beef fat in this product a concern for vegan, vegetarian, or halal consumers?

Yes, the ingredient list includes beef fat, making the noodle non‑vegan and non‑vegetarian, and it may not meet halal standards unless the fat is sourced from permissible slaughter; it also introduces animal‑derived saturated fat.

Maruchan • 3 oz

Ramen Noodle Soup

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Ramen Noodle Soup is an instant noodle product from Maruchan that belongs to the Cereal family within the PNNS classification. Per 100 g it provides 223 kcal, 9.3 g protein, 16.3 g fat (including 8.1 g saturated), 2.3 g sugar and 4.2 g salt, delivering decent protein but higher than average fat and salt while sugar is well below the category average of 9 g. The product is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), contains five food‑grade additives such as monosodium glutamate and caramel colour, and lists gluten, soy and lactose among its allergens, resulting in an EcoScore of B.

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal447 kcal

Added Sugars1.2 g

Iron3.1 mg

Comparative Analysis

It contains far less sugar than the average instant noodle (2.3 g vs 9 g per 100 g), but its fat (16.3 g) and salt (4.2 g) are higher than typical values (6.9 g fat, 2.96 g salt).

Ingredients

NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID, VEGETABLE OIL (CONTAINS ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: CANOLA), CARBONATE SOY SAUCE (WATER, WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT), SODIUM CARBONATE, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE MONOSODU, MALTODEXTRIN, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, CARAMEL COLOR, DEHYDRATED SOY SAUCE (WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT), BEEF FAT, SPICES, HYDROLYZED, DEHYDRATED VEGETABLES (GARLIC, ONION, CHIVE), LACTOSE, NATURAL FLAVOR, DISODIUM GUANYLATE, DISODIUM INOSINATE, SILICON DIOXIDE

84%

35%

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