VerdictConsider avoiding

Hot Korean Flavor Ramen

Ingredients0Coverage0/0 resolvedDriversNo priority drivers flagged

Decision lens

Focused on child exposure. Keep higher-sensitivity and child-exposure concerns in view.

Food health

Food healthHigh

Contains additive of concern

Sodium benzoatePreservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)Flavour enhancer; self-reported intolerance ('MSG symptom complex'); EFSA flagged exposure above the group ADI.
PolyphosphatesInorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)Synthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.
Disodium 5'-ribonucleotidesRibonucleotide flavour enhancer typically used together with monosodium glutamate (E621); may contribute to symptoms reported by glutamate-sensitive individuals.