Truths Vs Myths
RUMOR RESPONSE ABOUT INSTANT NOODLES
Misperception 1:
Instant noodles may be the cause of bangungot, or sudden and unexplained death in sleep.
Truth of the Matter is --
According to Dr. Eric Tayag, Director of the National Epidemiology Center of the DOH, "bangungot may be caused by environment influences, genetic cardiac abnormalities, evil spirits, or a state of mind" and that consumption of instant noodles has "nothing to do with cases of bangungot."
Misperception 2:
Instant noodles are coated with wax to prevent it from sticking together. Because of this wax coating, instant noodles are cancerous when consumed.
Truth of the Matter is --
Instant noodles do not contain any wax. Noodle strands do not stick together as a natural consequence of the process of slitting or cutting the noodle dough into strands, steaming, and then frying in normal cooking oil.
Neither do the paper cups have wax. The paper cups are lined with food grade polyethylene (PE) material. This layer is necessary to ensure that liquid does not soak through the paper. It does not melt with heat or chip when cold, and neither does it affect the prepared product in any way.
Both the inner and outer surfaces of the paper cups are lined with polyethylene (PE) material to protect it from direct damage of external factors and to serve as a moisture barrier.
This does not, in any way, become hazardous when used as packaging material for food and beverages.
Misperception 3:
A pack of instant noodles is bad for the health because of its dangerously high sodium content.
Truth of the Matter is -
For every pack of instant noodles, sodium content averages only between 1,000-1,500 milligrams - only 40-60% of the recommended daily allowance. As per the Department of Health, our allowed sodium intake daily should not exceed 2,400 milligrams.
Instant noodles is not harmful. However, it should be eaten in moderation, not excessively, and should be complemented with a variety of foods to make up a holistic, balanced diet.
Misperception 4:
Normally, we cook the instant noodles by putting the noodles into a pot with water, throwing in the powder and letting it cook for 3 minutes. By doing this, when we actually boil the ingredients in the powder, normally with MSG, it will change the molecular structures of MSG, causing it to be toxic.
Truth of the Matter is -
Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a flavor enhancer classified by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as generally recognized as safe, or GRAS, ingredient. Likewise, the World Health Organization (WHO) has chosen not to set a limit on Accepted Daily Intake (ADI) of MSG, classifying it as "not specified", the safest category for a food additive.
Generally, MSG is added to foods before, during or after cooking. It is a stable food element, which means that it does not change its molecular structure when added to boiling water or with other ingredients. Therefore, it is not (nor does it become) toxic.
For more information, visit www.gap.org.ph
Misperception 5:
Instant noodles offer no nutritional value as a meal.
Truth of the Matter is -
To say that instant noodles has no nutritional value as a meal is a misperception. We are proud to say that our Lucky Me! products are officially certified by the Department of Health with the Sangkap Pinoy Seal to be fortified with essential micronutrients, namely Vitamin A and Iron.
By consuming a serving of our products, one is assured of an intake of at least one-third of the daily requirement of the micronutrient/s that it has been fortified with.
Aside from being fortified with essential micronutrients, Lucky Me! is now made better for you as it has No Artificial Preservatives Added (NAPA).
Misperception 6:
Instant noodles contain trans-fat.
Truth of the Matter is -
All of our Lucky Me! noodles have undergone a third-party lab testing and all have been certified as zero-trans fat. In fact, our products have this declaration at the nutritional facts panel of their packaging.
To be more specific, food products with a level of trans fat that is less than 0.5 grams (per serving) are labeled as containing zero-trans fat. We are proud to announce that all of our products are zero-trans fat.
Misperception 7:
Instant noodles cause pancreatitis.
Truth of the Matter is -
Instant noodles are not a cause of pancreatitis. Alcohol abuse and gallstones are the 2 main causes of pancreatitis, accounting for 80-90% of all cases. The remaining cases are due to a variety of reasons, such as exposure to certain chemicals, genetics, injuries due to accidents, infections or abnormalities of the pancreas or intestine, or high fat levels in the blood. To say that consumption of instant noodles will be hazardous to one's health, and that it is a cause of pancreatitis, is untrue.