| The world's biggest instant noodles manufacturers, including Japan's Nissin Foods, Nestle India, Indonesia's Indofood and the Philippines' Monde Nissin, are keen to shed the popular staple's image as a highly processed, unhealthy snack, a reputation that has stifled post-pandemic demand. At a two-day summit in Manila last week, the World Instant Noodles Association unveiled guidelines to make their products healthier and better for the environment in an effort to alleviate the concerns of consumers who get through around 120 billion servings of instant noodles a year. "We would like the people to think this is an inevitable food, a product they cannot live without, but one that is also good and nutritious," Nissin Foods President and CEO Koki Ando said in an interview. "If the companies do not address the relevant issues today, which are health and wellness, nutrition, environment and eco-friendliness, demand may peak." Invented in Japan by Momofuku Ando in 1958, instant noodles rapidly won over consumers seeking a cheap sources of carbohydrates to become a global staple. Worldwide consumption of instant noodles grew 14% between 2019 and 2022 as people stayed at home during the Covid-19 pandemic. But the growth eased in 2023 as economies reopened and noodle prices rose, industry data show. They also came in for greater criticism as increasingly health-conscience diners became wary of their high-sodium content and unhealthy fats, and their lack of dietary fiber and other nutrients. "Many products in the market, such as instant noodles, have excessive salt content. However, without appropriate nutrient information on the food packaging, it is challenging to assess how much salt the product contains," the World Health Organization said in 2023. Manufacturers are now responding. Nissin Foods reduced salt in its Udon noodles by a third between 2005 to 2024, company data show. It also started adding various nutrients, such as protein, vitamins and minerals, to its products. Monde Nissin, the Philippine market leader, has vowed to reduce the fat content of their noodles by 20%. But executives warn that changes need to be done carefully. "It's important that salt reduction is gradual and not obvious. If they notice it, your noodles will no longer be delicious and they will eat other food," said Monde Nissin Chief Executive Officer Henry Soesanto. "We also need to educate people that too much salt, sugar and fat is not healthy so when we reduce salt, people will accept it." Environmental concerns are also an issue for many noodle lovers. Indofood aims to use 100% sustainably sourced packaging while Nissin Foods has promised to reduce petrochemical-derived plastics in its containers. Uni-President China Holdings says it will use more paper packaging to cut its plastic use by almost 95% per container. The industry group hopes the changes will ensure their products remain a popular snack even as consumer preferences shift. "We aim for the further evolution of instant noodles to ensure they will be loved continuously now and forever by addressing the common global issues," the group said in a statement to conclude the summit. — Neil Jerome Morales | 
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