Salty noodles making news

The average packet of instant noodles has more salt than eight packets of Smith's salted potato chips and two Big Macs, according to researchers at The George Institute for Global Health.

The institute surveyed 765 noodle products collected from 10 countries between 2012 and 2016; including New Zealand, Australia, China, Costa Rica, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Samoa, South Africa and the UK and found among the sample set that salt levels in the average packet of instant noodles contained more than 80 per cent of the daily recommended maximum salt intake of 5 grams a day.


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But if comparing salt levels on grams of salt per 100 grams, then Maggi Mi Goreng Fusion Soy & Mild Spice ​would be the most salty, despite ranking as one of the lowest, based on labelled salt per serve.

'This shows just how confusing it can be for consumers, because there is no clear and consistent labelling on instant noodles," says Clare Farrand, public health nutritionist at The George Institute.

"There is a huge amount of salt in a serving of noodles, but what is more worrying is that in reality people tend to eat the entire packet of noodles, rather than just the recommended serving size, eating even more salt than what is advertised.

'The high level of salt in processed food is a great public health concern, as we are noticing a shift in dietary habits towards more convenience foods,” says Dr Vivek Jha, Executive Director of the George Institute India.

The main problem caused by salt is high blood pressure which greatly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.

'These are all now leading causes of death and disability in India,” says Vivek.

A spokeswoman for Maggi says the sodium on the back of Maggi packs is not all sourced from table salt, but also comes from other ingredients within the product.

"We recognise that this category is relatively high in sodium and we have taken significant steps over a number of years to address this," she says.

"Over the last two years, we have reduced sodium in our biggest selling product, Maggi 2 Minute Noodles (chicken) by 26 per cent. We will continue to make improvements to the recipe across the entire Maggi 2 Minute range, reducing sodium by up to 20 per cent over the next three years."

German discount giant Aldi, which manufactures Simplee​ noodles, says it's reviewed the salt content contained in the product range and is "currently working with suppliers to improve the products".

"Aldi's range is extremely dynamic, regularly adapting to match the changing tastes and needs of customers," says a spokeswoman.

"We take market cues on labelling and branding and ensure we carry out due diligence when developing packaging of all of our products and labels."

But the fact that individual brands and manufacturers maintain their own labelling standards only causes confusion for consumers, The George Institute found, as some brands listed sodium information "as sold", while others referred to the "as prepared" amount, after water and flavouring are added.

The study also reveals large variations in the amount of salt in instant noodle products around the world.

For example, the noodle product with the highest sodium content per 100g was found in Indonesia, containing 7584 milligrams per 100 grams, almost 30 times the amount of sodium found in those with the lowest sodium content in New Zealand, with 249 milligrams per 100 grams.

National food spokesperson for The Heart Foundation Kellie-Ann Jolly says the data does not come as a surprise.

"We've known for some time that about three-quarters of the salt we consume comes from processed foods with most of it hidden in everyday products, including in family favourites like two-minute noodles."

Jolly says that more than half of adults exceeding the recommended daily intake of salt.

-Stuff.co.nz

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3 comments

And...

Posted on 31-08-2016 11:52 | By penguin

...the SCARY THING is that many children eat whole packets of dry noodles for their school lunch!


Is it the noodles

Posted on 31-08-2016 13:13 | By Angel74

the sachet of flavour or both that have a high salt content??


So..

Posted on 31-08-2016 16:03 | By Me again

what's cheaper and more convenient for working parent or at home parent. Of course these items are. Producers of such items know that convenience is what most parents will go for their children and, hey not all healthy stuff is that healthy. Unless of course they have been radiated to get rid of bacteria...just saying!!!


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