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Brand owned by Nestlé (Switzerland) · about the brand
Chicken Noodles
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.5 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This instant noodle product contains Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (Colour 150d), which is classified by IARC as Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans', due to the potential formation of 4-MEI during its manufacture. While the label does not state the concentration of 4-MEI, its presence is a significant concern. The product also contains a high amount of added sugar and sodium, which are common concerns in processed foods. The use of 'Natural Flavours' and 'Flavouring Substance' without further detail also limits transparency regarding the specific compounds used. Individuals seeking to avoid IARC-classified additives or those managing sugar and sodium intake should be cautious.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Dehydrated Onion
- Dried Garlic
- Red chilli powder
- Black pepper powder
- Nutmeg powder
- +6 more →
Contains IARC-classified caramel colour; high in sugar and sodium
This instant noodle product includes Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (Colour 150d), which is linked to a 'possibly carcinogenic' classification by IARC due to a manufacturing byproduct. It is also high in added sugar and sodium, common in processed foods. The specific compounds in the 'Natural Flavours' and 'Flavouring Substance' are not detailed, affecting transparency.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — Palm oil is declared.
Declared allergens: Egg, Milk, Soy and Gluten
People with these allergies should avoid it and check the pack’s own allergen statement.
Based on the declared ingredient list. This is a risk only to people with the allergy, not a general-population safety issue, so it does not lower the safety score.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for food. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Saturated fat 7.6 g · trans fat 0.1 g per 100 g/ml
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitHigh added sugar and sodium content may not be suitable for regular consumption by young children.
Why the score is capped
Contains ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d) — which can generate 4-MEI during manufacture — IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); this label does not state its concentration
Rule F-CAP-10 · Source: IARC / EFSA classification of the additive
Flavours, flavouring not disclosed — 2 additive classes are named without saying which substances they are
Rule F-CAP-13
What's good
Contains real chicken meat and chicken fat
Includes a variety of natural spices and dehydrated vegetables for flavour
Watch out for
High in added sugar, contributing to overall sugar intake
High in sodium, a concern for blood pressure management
Contains refined wheat flour, a source of gluten for those with sensitivities
Humectant — triphosphates (451(i)) are used to retain moisture. Generally recognized as safe in food.
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is about half saturated fat, which raises LDL cholesterol when eaten regularly in quantity, and the WHO advises keeping saturated fat under 10 percent of energy. Refined palm oil also carries the highest levels of process contaminants among edible oils: glycidyl esters, which the European Food Safety Authority considers genotoxic and carcinogenic with no safe level, and 3-MCPD esters, for which it set a tolerable daily intake of 2 micrograms per kilogram of body weight in 2018. IARC lists glycidol as probably carcinogenic (Group 2A) and 3-MCPD as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B). The contaminants form during the high-temperature deodorising step of refining, so unrefined palm oil carries less of them. EU maximum levels now apply to these contaminants in oils and in infant formula.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA CONTAM Panel opinions on glycidyl esters and 3-MCPD esters in food (2016) and 3-MCPD update (2018); IARC Monographs Volumes 77 and 101; WHO guideline on saturated fat and trans fat intake (2023)
Palm Oil: regulation, sources and other products →Added Sugars
Sugars added to food, and the sugars in honey, syrups and fruit juice concentrates, are "free sugars". The WHO guideline recommends that they stay below 10% of total energy intake and suggests below 5% for additional benefit. Where the sugar sits in the ingredient list and how many grams the panel declares is what matters; this is information, because the nutrition score already prices the grams.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: WHO, Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children (2015)
Added Sugars: regulation, sources and other products →Flavouring Substances
Indian rules classify added flavours as natural, nature-identical (chemically synthesised copies of natural compounds) or artificial, and require the class to be declared. The label names the class, not the compounds, so a reader cannot see which substances make up the blend, or whether it carries something they avoid. This is information about transparency, not a finding of harm.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, flavours; FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020
Flavouring Substances: regulation, sources and other products →Wheat Flour
Wheat and wheat-derived ingredients contain gluten, which triggers an autoimmune response in people with celiac disease, causing intestinal damage. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or wheat allergy must also avoid this ingredient. Labelled as a major allergen by FSSAI.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FSSAI Food Labelling Regulations; Celiac Disease Foundation
Wheat Flour: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (Colour 150d), which can generate 4-MEI during manufacture. IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans).
Contains Palm Oil, which is high in saturated fat and may contain processing contaminants like glycidyl esters and 3-MCPD.
Contains 'Natural Flavours' and 'Flavouring Substance' without specific disclosure of individual compounds, limiting transparency.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
This claim refers to a change in packaging design, which cannot be verified from the provided label information.
This claim is subjective and cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
This is a subjective claim that cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
The nutrition information states that there is 7.8g of protein per 100g, which means protein is present in every serving.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
31 entries as printed on the label · 27 distinct ingredients (some are declared more than once).
-
1.
Refined Wheat FlourRefined wheat flour
-
2.
Palm OilPalm oil
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3.
Iodized SaltIodized salt
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4.
Wheat GlutenWheat gluten
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5.
ThickenersPotassium chloride (INS 508), Guar gum (INS 412)Thickeners (508 & 412)
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6.
Acidity RegulatorsPotassium carbonates (INS 501), Sodium carbonates (INS 500)Acidity regulators (501(i) & 500 (i))
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7.
HumectantTriphosphates (INS 451)Humectant (451(i))
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8.
Mixed Spices 22%Mixed spices (22%)
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Dehydrated Onion within Mixed SpicesDehydrated onion
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Dried Garlic within Mixed SpicesDried garlic
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Red Chilli Powder within Mixed SpicesRed chilli powder
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Black Pepper Powder within Mixed SpicesBlack pepper powder
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Nutmeg Powder within Mixed SpicesNutmeg powder
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Coriander Extract within Mixed SpicesCoriander extract
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Cumin Extract within Mixed SpicesCumin extract
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9.
Sugar
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10.
Refined Wheat FlourRefined wheat flour
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11.
Iodized SaltIodized salt
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12.
Starch
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13.
Chicken Meat 5.7%Chicken meat (5.7%)
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14.
Palm OilPalm oil
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15.
ThickenerPotassium chloride (INS 508)Thickener (508)
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16.
Chicken Fat 2.3%Chicken fat (2.3%)
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17.
Natural FlavourNatural flavour
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18.
Flavouring Substance undisclosed flavouringflavouring substance
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19.
Acidity RegulatorCitric acid (INS 330)Acidity regulator (330)
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20.
Colour synthetic colourSulphite ammonia caramel (INS 150D)Colour (150d)
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21.
Dehydrated Kasuri Methi LeavesDehydrated kasuri methi leaves
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22.
Onion
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23.
Wheat GlutenWheat gluten
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24.
Dehydrated CarrotDehydrated carrot
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
These are major food allergens named on the ingredient list. They are a risk only to people allergic to them — not a general-population safety issue — so they do not lower the safety score. Anyone with the allergy should avoid this product, and check the pack’s own allergen statement.
The label declares each of these as a blend and then lists what is in it. The components appear in the groups above on their own merits, so the blend itself is shown here rather than counted a second time.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 402 kcal |
| Protein | 7.8 g |
| Carbohydrate | 66.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.1 g |
| Added Sugars | 1 g |
| Total Fat | 11.8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7.6 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.12 g |
| Sodium | 999.9 mg |
| Cholesterol | 1.4 mg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
Compare with other instant noodles products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
Also on this shelf
More Instant Noodles & Pasta products we've analysed, in name order.
What are the ingredients in Chicken Noodles?
The label of Chicken Noodles lists 25 ingredients, in label order: Humectant, Mixed Spices, Dehydrated Onion, Dried Garlic, Red chilli powder, Black pepper powder, Nutmeg powder, Coriander extract, Cumin Extract, Sugar, Refined wheat flour, Iodised Salt, Starch, Chicken Meat, Palm oil, Thickener, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavours, Flavouring Substance, Acidity Regulator, Colour, Dehydrated Kasuri Methi Leaves, Onion, Wheat gluten, Dehydrated Carrot. Flagged by the analysis: Palm oil, Colour, Flavouring Substance, Humectant.
Is Chicken Noodles safe to eat?
Chicken Noodles scores 1.5/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This instant noodle product includes Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (Colour 150d), which is linked to a 'possibly carcinogenic' classification by IARC due to a manufacturing byproduct. It is also high in added sugar and sodium, common in processed foods. The specific compounds in the 'Natural Flavours' and 'Flavouring Substance' are not detailed, affecting transparency.
Why does Chicken Noodles score 1.5/10?
What the analysis notes: High in added sugar, contributing to overall sugar intake. High in sodium, a concern for blood pressure management. Contains refined wheat flour, a source of gluten for those with sensitivities.
Who should avoid Chicken Noodles?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Managing sugar intake; Managing sodium intake; Sensitive to undisclosed flavouring substances; Gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease).
Is Chicken Noodles suitable for babies or young children?
Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Chicken Noodles contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (the pack’s allergen statement), egg (the pack’s allergen statement), soy (the pack’s allergen statement) and gluten (Refined wheat flour and Wheat gluten). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Chicken Noodles contain milk?
Yes — the ingredient list names the pack’s allergen statement. People with milk allergy / lactose intolerance should treat it as containing milk, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Chicken Noodles contain egg?
Yes — the ingredient list names the pack’s allergen statement. People with egg allergy should treat it as containing egg, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Chicken Noodles contain soy?
Yes — the ingredient list names the pack’s allergen statement. People with soy allergy should treat it as containing soy, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Chicken Noodles contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Refined wheat flour and Wheat gluten. People with gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease) should treat it as containing gluten, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
How much sugar is in Chicken Noodles?
1.1 g of total sugar per 100 g. The label declares 1 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Is Chicken Noodles high in salt?
Yes — 1,000 mg of sodium per 100 g (about 2.5 g of salt), above the 1.5 g of salt per 100 g that UK front-of-pack labelling marks as high.
Are the claims on the Chicken Noodles pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 4 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "NEW LOOK" — can't be verified from the label. "SAME DELICIOUS TASTE" — can't be verified from the label. "Truly GOOD" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Chicken Noodles vegetarian?
Chicken Noodles is marked non-vegetarian.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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