A study analysed 765 instant noodles products from 10 countries.
China had the largest number of noodle products (283, 37% of the total), followed by the UK (137, 18%), New Zealand (85, 11%), and Australia (58, 8%).
90s UK TV Adverts 🇬🇧
Batchelors Super Noodles 🍜
1998 📺 #90spic.twitter.com/VNMfcSuhJp— What’s the Story 90s Glory (@wts90sglory) September 29, 2023
Conducted by PMC , the study warned: “The high level of sodium in instant noodles across the world is a major public health concern, given their low cost, convenience and widespread availability and the fact that high sodium levels are a key contributor to ill health.”
And the BMJ said: “Only 62% of instant noodles displayed the salt content on their food label. Salt content in instant noodles is very high, with 90% exceeding the daily salt intake recommended by WHO.”
The NHS warns that excessive salt intake leads to high blood pressure, significantly increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Most salt in diets comes from processed foods, not just added salt, according to the health body and service.
For adults, the recommendation is to consume no more than 6g of salt (about one teaspoon) daily.
The NHS warns: “It’s easy to have too much salt (or sodium). Around three-quarters of the salt we eat comes from packaged and everyday foods we buy, such as bread, breakfast cereals, meat products and ready meals.
“It can also be found in takeaways, restaurant or café meals and fast-food outlets.”
Explaining your daily intake level, the NHS says adults should have no more than 6g of salt a day (around 1 level teaspoon).
This includes the salt that’s already in our food and the salt added during and after cooking.
