Instant noodles
Nissin chicken cup noodles
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Contains added sugars
- Contains palm oil
- Seed-oil free
Why it scores 39
Nissin chicken cup noodles scores 39 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Dextrose: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 9 points Salt 4.5 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better instant noodles and ramen
-
Jade Pearl Rice Ramen Lotus Foods · 80 g Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Millet & Brown Rice Ramen Noodles Lotus Foods Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 61 points higher -
organic RAMEN NOODLES Ocean's Halo · 10.75 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Japanese Style Ramen Noodles Simply Asia · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 89 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
White Rice Ramen Noodles Fusia · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 93 out of 100 , 54 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Nissin chicken cup noodles
Ingredients
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Palm oil minus 2.5 points
- Yeast extract minus 2.5 points
- Disodium guanylate minus 1.5 points
- Disodium inosinate minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 7.8 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Salt 4.5 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 453 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 3.1 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 9.4 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 61.5 = 38.5 → 39
Can’t score above 79. Contains dextrose, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [9]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 453 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 17.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 7.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64.1 g |
| Sugars | 3.1 g |
| Added sugars | 2.1 g |
| Fiber | 3.1 g |
| Protein | 9.4 g |
| Salt | 4.5 g |
Serving: 64 g (1 cup)
Ingredients
- Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- palm oil
- salt
- dried carrot flake
- autolyzed yeast extract
- citric acid
- dextrose (high concern)
- disodium guanylate
- disodium inosinate
- dried co (not recognized)
Label text, as published
Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), palm oil, salt, dried carrot flake, contains less than 2% of autolyzed yeast extract, citric acid, dextrose, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, dried co
Allergens and diets
Contains: Wheat, Gluten
- Not gluten-free
- Not palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More instant noodles on GoodSwap
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Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor Maruchan · 85 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 15 out of 100 Bad - Instant Lunch, Ramen Noodles With Vegetables, Chicken Maruchan · 2.25 oz/64 g High in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 28 out of 100 Poor
-
Ramen Noodle Soup Maruchan · 3 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 9 out of 100 Bad -
Pancit Canton Lucky Me · 60 g Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in salt Score 12 out of 100 Bad -
Chicken flavor ramen noodle soup Nissin · 3 × 2.25 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 12 out of 100 Bad -
Bowl noodle soup, savory chicken Nongshim · 3.03 oz/86 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 9 out of 100 Bad
More from Nissin
Sources
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Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
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Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods
“The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
“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
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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“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