Does Buldak Ramen Cause Cancer?

Instant ramen noodles have become a global staple, beloved for their affordability, convenience and delicious taste. First invented in Japan in 1958, it has rapidly gained popularity across the world. In particular, the South Korean version of instant noodles, better known as ramyeon, has grown into a global phenomenon. What was previously known as a late night snack has now become a cultural cuisine worldwide. However, a recent viral video suggested that these widely loved noodles may not be as safe as expected, prompting many consumers to question what exactly goes into their meal.

Buldak ramen, famous for its fiery and bold flavor, has gained massive popularity around the world thanks to the viral “spicy noodle challenge” trend. However, a viral video on Instagram has raised concerns about the safety of consuming these noodles. The video shows a warning label on the ramen noodle packaging which reads “Warning: Cancer and Reproductive Harm”. The user also expressed his concern over this labelling, warning netizens to be careful when consuming the product.

This sparked concern as alarmed netizens took to Instagram to comment on his post. “It doesn’t even feel healthy when you eat it. Why eat those instead of spaghetti?” one user shared.

However, not everyone was shocked by the news. One user commented, “A lot of times, the packaging itself is toxic. The heat printed wrappers leach chemicals into your skin at levels above the minimum decided safe exposure amount. That requires them to apply the cancer/hormone disruptor warning.”

Another user remarked, “Nearly everything we eat can do damage if we eat it too much, every now and then shouldn’t be a problem. I've had it a few times, maybe 6 times a yr. I would eat it more but it’s too spicy,”

Does Buldak ramen really use cancer-causing chemicals?

The warning label on the noodle packaging is mandated by the government, under California's Proposition 65. Under this consumer safety law, any product sold in California containing chemicals that may “cause cancer, birth defect and other reproductive harm” must be labelled, regardless of risk level or the amount of chemical used.

While Buldak ramen’s production company Samyang has refrained from releasing any statement, a representative of the company noted, “A premature explanation could mislead consumers into thinking the issue is exclusive to Samyang, so we are carefully monitoring the situation.”

Nonetheless, regular consumption of any kind of instant noodles is not advised, due to the high sodium content and use of additives in these foods.

While there is no hard evidence linking instant noodles and cancer, it is known that high intake of sodium may lead to an increased risk of developing stomach cancer.

Is MSG bad for you?

Instant noodles contain high amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG), due to the use of additives, artificial flavours and preservatives. This causes them to have a high sodium content, with a single serving containing approximately 1,000 to 2,000 mg of sodium. As the recommended daily intake of sodium is no more than 1,500 mg, a single packet of instant noodles may already exceed this limit.

Hence, while instant noodles are undeniably convenient, affordable and delicious, they should not become a regular meal. It is best to consume it in moderation as a comfort food rather than a regular part of your diet.