Fire Bull Stir-Fried Ramen Carbonara
Fire Bull
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
12
0 we grade moderate or higher
9 of them not yet assessed here
Fat per 100g
12g
Medium
UK FSA front of pack threshold
Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.
Additives (12)
This label lists 5 acidity regulators, 3 colours, 2 flavour enhancers, 1 anticaking agent and 1 antioxidant.
E338
Phosphoric acid
Acidity regulator
What it is. A strong food acid that gives cola drinks their sharpness.
Why it is used. Used in colas and some processed foods to control acidity.
What the evidence says. EFSA set a group acceptable daily intake for phosphates in 2019 and noted that high consumers, particularly children, can exceed it once all sources are counted. The concern is total phosphate intake across the diet rather than one drink, and it matters most for people with reduced kidney function.
Permitted with maximum levels, under a group limit shared with the other phosphate additives.
Assessed against EFSA. Full entry for E338
E330
Citric acid
Acidity regulator
What it is. A mild acid found naturally in citrus fruit, made commercially by fermentation.
Why it is used. Adds tartness, balances flavour and helps preserve. One of the most used additives in food.
What the evidence says. Safe at food levels. No credible health concern for the additive itself.
Permitted freely.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E330
E621
Monosodium glutamate
Flavour enhancer
What it is. The sodium salt of glutamate, an amino acid found naturally in tomatoes, cheese and mushrooms.
Why it is used. Boosts savoury, umami flavour in stocks, crisps, ready meals and sauces.
What the evidence says. The old idea of MSG causing headaches and flushing, once called Chinese restaurant syndrome, has not held up in controlled trials. Regulators worldwide treat it as safe at normal intake. A genuinely useful example of a feared additive that the evidence exonerates.
Permitted and classed as safe. Adds to total sodium, so it counts towards salt if a product uses a lot.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA, US FDA. Full entry for E621
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E150A Plain caramel colour
- E150C Ammonia caramel colour
- E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour
- E270 Lactic acid acidity regulator
- E306 Tocopherol-rich extract antioxidant
- E339 Sodium phosphates acidity regulator
- E524 Sodium hydroxide acidity regulator
- E551 Silicon dioxide anticaking agent
- E635 Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides flavour enhancer
Names and jobs come from the register of additives permitted in Great Britain, which we have not finished transcribing: a code shown without a name is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that it is unapproved. Naming one is not grading it either. Full detail appears only where we have an assessment against a named authority, so all of this describes our coverage rather than these additives. Most are common and low concern.
Ingredients
Noodle Wheat Flour, Potato Starch, Palm Oil, Tapioca Starch, Salt, Soybean Oil, Emulsifier: E306, Acidity Regulator: E338, E330 Sauce Stir-Fried Sauce (Roasted Sauce (Water, Sugar, Soybean, Wheat Corn Syrup, Salt, Chili Oil, Seed Malt, Flavour Enhancer E621, E635, Ginger, Shitake Mushroom Extract, Licorice Extract, Caramel Colour: E150a, Acidity Regulator: E270, Pepper Powder). Soy Sauce (Water, Salt, Defatted Soybean, Wheat, Seed Malt, High Fructose, Acidity Regulator: E524, E270, Licorice Extract Ravour Enhancer: E635), Water, Chilli Seasoning Powder (Habanero Chilli Powder, Oleoresin, Flavour Enhancer: E621, Acidity Regulator: E330, Palm Oil, Sugar, Pepper Flavour, Yeast Extract, Onion Powder), Garlic), Sugar, Water, Red Pepper Seed Oil, Flavour Enhancer: E621, Salt, Red Peppe Powder, Oleoresin Paprika, Button Mushroom Extract, Oleoresi Capsicum. Black Pepper Powder Powder Sugar, Salt, Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Corn Starch, Yeast Extract, Flavour Enhancer: E621, Potato, Garlic Onion, rars tabiliser: 6414, Artificial Cheese Pour, Anti-caking Agent: E551, Antioxidant: E339, Black Pepper Powder, Flavour Enhancer: E635 ALLERGEN ADVICE: See ingent highlighted in bold MAY CONTAINS: Celery, Gluten, Barley, Oats, Spelt, Crustaceans, Egg, Fish, Lupin, Milk, Molluscs, Mustard, Peanuts, Sesame Almonds, Chews
As printed on the pack, in the producer's own order: ingredients are listed by weight, so what comes first is most of what is in it. E numbers link to their assessment where we have one.