Instant ramen noodles are often the go-to choice for a quick and satisfying meal. Whether it’s for solo diners or busy mornings, this 10-minute snack has remained a pantry staple for years. However, a recent viral video has turned this comforting food into a cause for concern.
An Instagram user recently posted a video showing a shocking warning label printed on the back of a ramen noodle packet. The label read: “Warning: Cancer and Reproductive Harm”, a disclosure that left the uploader and viewers stunned.
Users React with Concern and Confusion
The video quickly gained traction online, with users flooding the comment section with reactions and theories. One person speculated, “A lot of times, the packaging itself is toxic. The heat printed wrappers leach chemicals into your skin at levels above the minimum decided safe exposure amount. That requires them to apply the cancer/hormone disruptor warning.”
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Another comment read, “Eating spicy too much every day can increase the risk of cancer. Once in 3–4 months is enough.” Meanwhile, others argued moderation was key: “Nearly everything we eat can do damage if we eat it too much, but every now and then shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve had it a few times, maybe 6 times a year.”
Health Experts Weigh In
Nutritionist Cara Harbstreet explained, “Packaged instant noodles, including most ramen varieties, rely heavily on sodium for flavour.” The U.S. FDA supports this, noting that the seasoning packets in ramen can contain up to 90% of the daily sodium value.
The USDA also warns that a standard 81-gram packet contains 14 grams of total fat and 6.58 grams of saturated fat, which makes up around 33% of the daily recommended intake.
Additionally, the noodles typically contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), which has been linked to headaches, nausea, muscle tightness, weakness, and chest pain in sensitive individuals.