Instant Noodles: What Lurks Behind This Quick Meal?

According to the World Instant Noodles Association, Nigeria was the 13th largest consumer of instant noodles in the world in 2007. Ever since, this fast food has grown more in popularity in many homes in both urban and rural areas of Nigeria. There have, however, been concerns that its consumption may not be the best for the health-consciou, especially those who make a habit of eating it regularly. 

Since instant noodles made its way into our kitchens a few years ago, it has been a lot of relief for bachelors, spinsters and families seeking a ‘quick fix’ for their hunger. Admittedly, it is an instant remedy for hunger, without having to wait for minutes or hours- the time it takes to get a meal ready. Among the highest number of instant noodles consumers are students whose academic schedules are often very tight and with little or no time for serious cooking.

Instant noodles are a pre-cooked and usually dried noodle block, sold with flavouring powder and seasoning oil, usually in a separate packet.

Instant noodles is a popular food in many parts of the world, undergoing changes in flavour to fit local tastes.

Noodles are consumed in different ways; some would cook it for a few minutes, while others would rather eat it as it is, without needing to cook it.

Instant noodles are well consumed in Nigeria by almost every category of people. Virtually all supermarkets, stores and even phamarcists sell noodles of all sorts.

According to LEADERSHIP Weekend’s findings, eight out of ten people admit to consuming instant noodles. Five of them eat noodles at least four times every week; two out of eight consume it twice, while one person said he eats it once every week.

The data suggests that every eight of ten Nigerians have an instant noodles box in their kitchen cabinet. It is undoubtedly well consumed. And as expected, the major reason for many who consume it is because of its easy and fast method of cooking.

The main ingredients in instant noodles are flour, starch, water, salt or its substitute known as kansui, a type of alkaline mineral water containing sodium carbonate and usually potassium carbonate, as well as sometimes a small amount of phosphoric acid.

As popular as its consumption are the skeptics and speculations that surround its safety. There is a widespread notion that instant noodles are unhealthy and dangerous for consumption. They are also widely categorised as junk food, even by medical experts.

According to Soteye Babatude, a nutritionist at Salad Master Nigeria, a single serving of instant noodles is high in carbohydrates and fat, but low in protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Another concern, according to Soteye, is that if served in an instant broth, instant noodles typically contain high amounts of sodium.

Also, there are concerns regarding the consumption of fried foods, including instant noodles, because of the possible presence of oxidation products, including acrylamides and aldehydes resulting from poor maintenance of the oil.

If the cooking oil, according to Soteye is not maintained at the proper temperature or changed as often as necessary, these oxidation products accumulate toxins and are present in the foods.

But in any case, proper production standards are defined and promoted by World Instant Noodles Association to mitigate these risks after incidents of instant noodle contamination in developing Asia.

On June 5, 2015, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned all nine approved variants of Maggi instant noodles from India, terming them “unsafe and hazardous” for human consumption.

Taking a cue from that, On September 18, 2015, The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), issued a warning against the sales, purchase and consumption of Maggi instant noodles in Nigeria.

The food and drugs regulatory body in the country specified that a certain Maggi noodles produced by Nestle India, should be avoided by Nigerians. It noted that these noodles contained excess lead and were therefore deemed unsafe and hazardous for human consumption.

“Nestle has recalled its Maggi instant noodles from stores across India following the report by the Indian Food Safety Regulators of probable lead contamination. Lead exposure causes an estimated 143,000 deaths a year worldwide. In view of the potential safety concerns on consumption of the lead contaminated Maggi instant noodles, NAFDAC warns that Maggi instant noodles produced by Nestle India should not be consumed. Departmental stores, wholesalers and retailers should also be proactive in ensuring that such products are brought to NAFDAC if they come across any, and under no circumstances should such products be sold,” the report read.

Maggi instant noodles is just one of the many instant noodles in the Nigerian market. Since its introduction in 1988, Indomie has been the most popular instant noodle brand in Nigeria.

If there is proof that instant noodles contain some dangerous properties that are harmful to the health, why is the commodity still in circulation in spite of the presence of several regulatory agencies in Nigeria.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, Dr Ali Waha, a public health expert and consultant, also admits the fact that noodles are not exactly the most healthy of foods.

“It is processed food, and we do not readily advise anyone to consume such, especially frequently and in large amounts, because of the effects on the blood vessels, heart, and body weight.”

According to Dr Waha, prepared and eaten as it is packaged, noodles is far from being a balanced, healthy diet; especially for children. Some major nutrients are either too low or completely absent; other nutrients are way too high in amount.

But Dr Wada adds that there is no major cause for alarm as no country’s regulatory agency would allow the circulation of certain products if they are outrightly harmful to consumers.

“Stakeholders cannot say people should stop eating noodles, which will be an almost impossible command for many people, and bachelors like me. But there can be the need for us to say that people should make their noodles meal a balanced one- just like balancing chemical equations in chemistry. We can try to make a fairly balanced diet as much as we can.” He said.

Since noodles are already very high in sodium and carbohydrates, Dr Waha advises that people should watch the way they add table salt.

People with hypertension should know that this meal might be contributing to poor blood pressure control. Those trying to lose weight and burn the calories cannot afford to be addicted to frequent consumption of noodles. For Dr Waha, it has to be a once-in-a-while thing, and eaten in small quantities.

As a rule, especially for growing children, a good source of protein must be included in every noodles meal. The addition of tomatoes, onions, green vegetables, lean meat, green beans, crayfish, fish, and egg can add some nutritional value. There is the need, according to Dr Waha for our noodles meal to be richly endowed.

On the positive side and with regards to general safety, Dr Waha dispels the notion that instant noodles are very harmful or cancerous.

So far, according to Dr Waha, no reliable scientific research shows any definite medical harm from the consumption of noodles.

“There are no harmful additives or preservatives. The flavouring powder or sauce is safe. Noodles do not cause any particular kind of disease. It doesn’t make children dull, stubborn or sick. But like every other products in the market, there are often exceptions, and the regulatory agencies would always stand up to it, as NAFDAC has done against the Maggi instant noodles,” he said.