Key Findings of CERS Lab tests

Key Findings of CERS Lab tests  All 15 brands tested in our in-house laboratory were found to be high in sodium content, in the range of 821mg/100g. The UK FSA Standards consider 130 to 600mg/100g as acceptable. Knorr Soupy Noodles contained the highest sodium content of 1943 mg/100g and was the costliest. The lowest sodium content was recorded in Maggi Meri Masala 821 mg/100g.  Only 5 – Ching’s Secret Schezwan Instant Noodles, Knorr Soupy Noodles, Tasty Treat New Instant Schezwan Noodles, Tasty Treat Multigrain Noodles and Smith & Jones Masala Noodles – mentioned the amount of sodium. [We all know that sodium, commonly known as salt (sodium chloride) is necessary, but a high amount can lead to such undesirable effects as hypertension, linked to stroke and heart diseases.]  The fat content in almost all the brands was on the higher side, in the range of 14.7 to 18.4 per cent. AS per UK FSA, 3 to 20g/100g of fat is considered acceptable. Fat content was highest in Foodles from Horlicks at 18.4 g/100g and the lowest in Maggi Meri Masala at 14.7 g/100g. In Maggi New Vegetable Atta Noodles the fat was found to be 17 per cent against 13.4 claimed and in Maggi Vegetable Multigrainz Noodles it was 16.1 instead of the labelled value of 13.9 per cent. [If the amount of fat is more, it will contribute to a higher calorie value (energy). Consumption of high fat foods may result in obesity and risk of heart diseases and Type 2 diabetes.]  Maggi Meri Masala is our ‘Best Buy’ as it revealed the lowest amount of fat and sodium, and the highest amount of proteins.  Top Ramen Oat Noodles contained less than 6.8 per cent of oat fibre and about 91 per cent of wheat flour. Even Tasty Treat Multigrain Noodles showed about 72 per cent and Maggi Vegetable Multigrainz Noodles 82 per cent of wheat flour, with the rest containing ragi, rice, jowar and corn. So these brands’ claim of having other flour, implying better nutrition benefits, was not justified.  Wai Wai X-press Instant Noodles Jain Masala and Wai Wai X-press Instant Noodles Masala Delight did not contain iron as claimed. They recorded 2.5mg and 2.6mg, respectively, against the labelled 7mg/100mg.  The shelf life of noodles varied from brand to brand, ranging from 6 to 12 months.  The average net weight of two brands – Top Ramen Super Noodles Masala and Tasty Treat Multigrain Noodles – was found to be less than the net weight declared.  The mandatory label declaration of the food additives used in the product was missing in three brands – Tasty Treat New Instant Schezwan Noodles, Foodles from Horlicks, and Top Ramen Super Masala.