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Brand owned by Nestlé (Switzerland) · about the brand
Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 4.2 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This instant noodle product is primarily a source of refined carbohydrates, sodium, and saturated fat, with a significant amount of added sugar and flavour enhancers. While it provides a wide array of spices and some fortified minerals, the overall nutritional profile is dominated by processed ingredients. Individuals managing gout should be aware of the disodium 5'-ribonucleotides, and those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity must avoid it due to wheat gluten. The presence of palm oil contributes to saturated fat intake and carries potential processing contaminants, though levels are not specified. The product is generally suitable for healthy adults in moderation, but its high sodium and sugar content make it less ideal for young children.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Roasted spice powder
- Turmeric
- Aniseed
- Coriander
- Fenugreek
- +23 more →
High in sodium, added sugar, and saturated fat; contains flavour enhancers
This instant noodle product contains significant levels of sodium, added sugar, and saturated fat from palm oil, which also carries potential processing contaminants. It includes flavour enhancers like disodium 5'-ribonucleotides, which should be noted by individuals managing gout. The product is made with refined wheat flour and wheat gluten, making it unsuitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — Palm oil and Flavour Enhancer are declared.
Declared allergens: Mustard, Milk, Soy and Gluten
Relevant if you have any of these allergies or intolerances.
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 8.2 g · trans fat 0.1 g per 100 g/ml
Infants under 1
AvoidHigh sodium and added sugar content make this product unsuitable for infants.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitHigh sodium and added sugar content should be limited in the diet of young children.
What's good
Contains a wide variety of natural spices and herbs for flavour
Fortified with minerals
Watch out for
High in sodium
Contains added sugar
High in saturated fat from palm oil
Contains flavour enhancer disodium 5'-ribonucleotides (635)
Contains refined wheat flour and wheat gluten
Humectant — triphosphates (451(i)) are used to retain moisture.
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 →Disodium Ribonucleotides (E635)
E635 is a mixture of disodium inosinate (E631) and disodium guanylate (E627). Both are purine nucleotides, which the body breaks down to uric acid. People with gout or hyperuricaemia, or who have been advised to limit purines, may wish to limit foods containing it. The amounts used in foods are small, so the concern applies to people already managing uric acid rather than to the general population.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA; WHO; Arthritis Foundation
Disodium Ribonucleotides: 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 →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
Palm Oil is very high in saturated fat. Refined palm oil also carries processing contaminants (glycidyl esters, 3-MCPD), as noted by EFSA CONTAM opinion (2016). The levels depend on processing and are not specified on the label.
Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides (Flavour Enhancer 635) is a purine source, which is relevant for individuals managing gout.
This product contains added sugars. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises keeping free sugar intake under 10% of total energy, ideally under 5%.
This product contains wheat flour and wheat gluten, which are declarable allergens under FSSAI Labelling & Display Regulations 2020. It is not suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
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.
The claim 'Truly Good' is a subjective statement that cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
The ingredients list various spices, but the term 'Quality Spices' is subjective and cannot be objectively verified from the label.
The ingredients list 'Masala TASTEMAKER®: Mixed spices' and various individual spices, supporting the 'Special masala' claim.
The ingredients list includes red chilli powder and black pepper, which contribute to a spicy flavor.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
49 entries as printed on the label · 45 distinct ingredients (some are declared more than once).
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1.
Refined Wheat FlourRefined wheat flour (Maida)
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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.
Masala Tastemaker 35.9%Masala *TASTEMAKER®: Mixed spices (35.9%)
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Roasted Spice Powder 8.4% within Masala TastemakerRoasted spice powder (8.4%)
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Turmeric within Masala Tastemaker
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Aniseed within Masala Tastemaker
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Coriander within Masala Tastemaker
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Fenugreek within Masala Tastemaker
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Cumin within Masala Tastemaker
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Ginger within Masala Tastemaker
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Clove within Masala Tastemaker
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Nutmeg within Masala Tastemaker
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Cinnamon within Masala Tastemaker
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Bay Leaf within Masala TastemakerBay leaf
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Green Cardamom within Masala TastemakerGreen cardamom
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Black Pepper within Masala TastemakerBlack pepper
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Red Chilli Powder within Masala TastemakerRed chilli powder
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Onion Powder within Masala TastemakerOnion powder
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Garlic Powder within Masala TastemakerGarlic powder
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Coriander Powder within Masala TastemakerCoriander powder
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Black Pepper Powder within Masala TastemakerBlack pepper powder
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Cumin Powder within Masala TastemakerCumin powder
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Turmeric Powder within Masala TastemakerTurmeric powder
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Ginger Powder within Masala TastemakerGinger powder
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Capsicum Extract within Masala TastemakerCapsicum extract
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Compounded Asafoetida within Masala TastemakerCompounded asafoetida
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Star Anise Powder within Masala TastemakerStar anise powder
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Green Cardamom Powder within Masala TastemakerGreen cardamom powder
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Coriander Extract within Masala Tastemaker trace amountCoriander extract
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Cumin Extract within Masala Tastemaker trace amountCumin extract
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9.
Sugar
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10.
Iodized SaltIodized salt
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11.
Starch
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12.
Refined Wheat FlourRefined wheat flour (Maida)
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13.
Onion
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14.
ThickenerPotassium chloride (INS 508)Thickener (508)
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15.
Flavour EnhancerDisodium 5'-ribonucleotides (INS 635)Flavour enhancer (635)
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16.
Yeast Extract Powder trace amountYeast extract powder
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17.
Palm OilPalm oil
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18.
Dehydrated Kasuri Methi LeavesDehydrated kasuri methi leaves
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19.
Acidity RegulatorCitric acid (INS 330)Acidity regulator (330)
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20.
Corn Oil trace amountCorn oil
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21.
Mineral
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22.
Wheat GlutenWheat gluten
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
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 | 363 kcal |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrate | 55.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g |
| Added Sugars | 1.1 g |
| Total Fat | 12.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8.2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.14 g |
| Sodium | 939.3 mg |
| Iron | 6.9 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.
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What are the ingredients in Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles?
The label of Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles lists 43 ingredients, in label order: Humectant, Masala TASTEMAKER, Roasted spice powder, Turmeric, Aniseed, Coriander, Fenugreek, Cumin, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Bay Leaf, Green Cardamom, Black Pepper, Red chilli powder, Onion powder, Garlic powder, Coriander powder, Black pepper powder, Cumin powder, Turmeric powder, Ginger powder, Capsicum extract, Compounded Asafoetida, Star Anise Powder, Green cardamom powder, Coriander extract, Cumin Extract, Sugar, Iodised Salt, Starch, Refined wheat flour, Onion, Thickener, Flavour Enhancer, Yeast Extract Powder, Palm oil, Dehydrated Kasuri Methi Leaves, Acidity Regulator, and 3 more. Flagged by the analysis: Palm oil, Flavour Enhancer, Humectant.
Is Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles safe to eat?
Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles scores 4.2/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This instant noodle product contains significant levels of sodium, added sugar, and saturated fat from palm oil, which also carries potential processing contaminants. It includes flavour enhancers like disodium 5'-ribonucleotides, which should be noted by individuals managing gout. The product is made with refined wheat flour and wheat gluten, making it unsuitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Why does Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles score 4.2/10?
Flagged in the score: High in saturated fat from palm oil. Also noted: High in sodium. Contains added sugar.
Who should avoid Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity; Managing gout (due to purine source); Limiting saturated fat intake; Limiting sodium intake; Limiting added sugar intake.
Is Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains mustard (the pack’s allergen statement), milk (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 Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles contain mustard?
Yes — the ingredient list names the pack’s allergen statement. People with mustard allergy should treat it as containing mustard, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does Special Masala 2-Minute 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 Special Masala 2-Minute 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 Special Masala 2-Minute 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 Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles?
1.4 g of total sugar per 100 g. The label declares 1.1 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Is Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles high in salt?
Yes — 939 mg of sodium per 100 g (about 2.35 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 Special Masala 2-Minute Noodles pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 4 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Truly Good" — can't be verified from the label. "Made with Quality Spices" — can't be verified from the label.
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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Recipes change and packs get reformulated. If the ingredients or the panel on the pack in your hand differ from what we show, tell us and we will check it.
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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