GoodSwap Get notified
Kikkoman Instant shiro miso soup
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Dehydrated soups

Kikkoman Instant shiro miso soup

30 g

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
Get GoodSwap

Why it scores 60

Kikkoman Instant shiro miso soup scores 60 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Salt 19.3 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. Protein 20 g / 100 g: A good source of protein. Info

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better soups

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Instant shiro miso soup

START100

Ingredients

  • Wheat gluten
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Modified starch
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
    Strong The FDA considers MSG generally recognized as safe; some sensitive people report mild, short-lived symptoms after 3 g or more without food. [2][3][1]
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Disodium inosinate
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Disodium guanylate
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
subtotal−12

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavor enhancer, industrial protein and modified starch. [1]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 19.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [4]
  • Energy 350 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [5]
  • Protein 20 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [5]
subtotal−7
TOTAL 60Good

100 − 40 = 60

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]

GTIN 00041390030635 · 2026-04-01

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy350 kcal
Fat10 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates40 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein20 g
Salt19.3 g

Serving: 10g

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

Powdered white miso (Soybeans, Rice, Salt), Dehydrated seaweed, Wheat gluten, Modified food starch, Powdered bonito, Monosodium glutamate, Dehydrated green onions, Powdered hydrolyzed soy protein, Disodium inosinate. Disodium guanylate, Succinic acid.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Fish

  • Not vegan
  • Not vegetarian
  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest dehydrated soups in the US

More from Kikkoman

Sources

  1. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. Questions and Answers on Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Jul 17, 2026 · Regulator

    “FDA considers the addition of MSG to foods to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS).”

    fda.gov

  3. EFSA reviews safety of glutamates added to food

    European Food Safety Authority · Jul 12, 2017 · Agency assessment

    “EFSA re-assessed the safety of glutamates used as food additives and derived a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 30 mg/kg body weight per day for all six of these additives.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”

    who.int

  5. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  6. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  7. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  8. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org