SEOUL — A recent study by South Korea's consumer safety watchdog has highlighted nutritional concerns regarding popular spicy instant noodles, revealing that consuming just one package—including the broth—can push a person’s daily sodium intake past recommended limits.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA), an evaluation of 12 top-selling spicy ramyeon products showed that every single tested item contained more than half of the daily recommended sodium allowance in a single serving. Officials advise consumers to evaluate nutritional labels alongside spice levels and to moderate broth and sauce consumption.

The KCA's market survey divided the tested items into two categories: seven broth-based ramyeon and five stir-fried varieties.

Results indicated that broth-style noodles contained between 1,611 mg and 2,080 mg of sodium per package. This accounts for 81% to 104% of the standard daily intake threshold of 2,000 mg. Nongshim’s "Shin Ramyun The Red" registered the highest sodium content at 2,080 mg, while Samyang Foods’ spicy variant recorded the lowest in its category at 1,611 mg.

Stir-fried ramyeon generally contained lower sodium levels, ranging from 1,009 mg to 1,349 mg (50% to 67% of the daily limit). Ottogi's sesame oil-infused stir noodles recorded the lowest sodium, whereas Nongshim’s "Shin Ramyun Toomba" topped the category. To mitigate health risks, the agency suggests using fewer seasoning packets or leaving leftover broth in the bowl.

The study also analyzed capsaicinoid concentrations—the chemical compounds responsible for heat—in liquid and powder flavorings, finding a wide variance of up to 6.9 times between products. Brands like Paldo's "Teumsae Ramyun" and Samyang's "Buldak" lines ranked at the upper tier of the official Korean Industrial Standards (KS) for heat. However, the KCA noted that actual perceived spiciness drops significantly once cooked and mixed with noodles, meaning eating habits—such as drinking the leftover broth—strongly influence the final heat experience.

Beyond sodium, the report pointed out elevated levels of saturated fats, which reached up to 10 grams per package (roughly two-thirds of the daily recommended cap of 15 grams). Furthermore, pairing spicy noodles with sugary sodas like cola or cider—a common habit to cool down burning palates—can stack an additional 30% of the daily recommended sugar limit onto a single meal.

On the safety front, all 12 products successfully passed stringent multi-element inspections, showing no traces of heavy metals, harmful contaminants, or microbial issues. Price points varied across official online retailers, ranging from 684 KRW to 1,420 KRW per package depending on the brand and style.

KCA representatives emphasized that while these instant meals meet all domestic food safety regulations, mindful consumption is necessary to avoid potential gastrointestinal discomfort and long-term health implications associated with excessive sodium and spice intake.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]