Is Pork Ramen Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Ajinomoto
Pork Ramen is a food from Ajinomoto. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sodium Carbonate, Potassium Carbonate, E621.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like palm oil and flavor enhancers (E621, E635), which raise quality concerns. The presence of milk and soy derivatives may affect allergen sensitivity.
Main concern
Palm oil is present, raising concerns about sustainability and health implications.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains pork bone extract powder, which adds authentic flavor to the ramen.
- Includes garlic powder and ginger powder, known for their flavor-enhancing properties.
- Dried chives and sesame seeds contribute to the overall taste profile.
- The use of chicken meat powder adds depth to the flavor.
Concerns
- Palm oil is present, raising concerns about sustainability and health implications.
- Flavor enhancers E621 and E635 are synthetic additives that may cause sensitivity in some individuals.
- Contains modified starches, which are processed and may not be well-received by health-conscious consumers.
- The inclusion of lactose and milk proteins may pose issues for lactose-intolerant individuals.
Who should avoid this product?
This food may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this food so the page answers more than a simple label list.
-
Is Wheat Flour safe in this food?
Good
Wheat Flour is used here as base. Wheat flour serves as the primary ingredient for the noodles, providing structure and texture. It is a staple in many noodle products.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheat flour
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is used for frying the noodles, contributing to texture and flavor. However, its sustainability and health implications are concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm oil
-
Is Modified Starches safe in this food?
Medium
Modified Starches is used here as thickener. Modified starches are used to improve texture and stability in the noodles. While functional, they are processed and may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified starches
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and is essential for seasoning. It is a common ingredient in many food products.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Sodium Carbonate safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Carbonate is used here as raising agent. Sodium carbonate is used as a raising agent in the noodles. It is a synthetic compound that may raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: sodium carbonate
-
Is Potassium Carbonate safe in this food?
Bad
Potassium Carbonate is used here as raising agent. Potassium carbonate serves as a raising agent but is a synthetic additive that may not be well-regarded in clean label products.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: potassium carbonate
-
Is E621 safe in this food?
Bad
E621 is used here as flavor enhancer. E621, or monosodium glutamate (MSG), is a flavor enhancer that can cause sensitivity in some individuals, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor enhancer
Original: E621
-
Is E635 safe in this food?
Bad
E635 is used here as flavor enhancer. E635 is a flavor enhancer that may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, indicating a processed nature.
Role in formula: flavor enhancer
Original: E635
-
Is Pork Bone Extract Powder safe in this food?
Good
Pork Bone Extract Powder is used here as flavor. Pork bone extract powder adds authentic flavor to the ramen, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: pork bone extract powder
-
Is Sugar safe in this food?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is used to balance flavors in the seasoning mix. While common, it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Flavors safe in this food?
Bad
Flavors is used here as flavor. The term 'flavors' indicates the presence of artificial or natural flavoring agents, which may not be disclosed, raising transparency concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: flavors (contain soy, milk and wheat)
-
Is Creamer In Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Creamer In Powder is used here as emulsifier. The powdered creamer contains palm oil and lactose, contributing to creaminess but raising concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: creamer in powder (palm oil, lactose from milk, milk proteins)
-
Is Sesame Seeds safe in this food?
Good
Sesame Seeds is used here as flavor. Sesame seeds add flavor and texture to the ramen, contributing positively to the overall composition.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: sesame seeds
-
Is Yeast Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract is used for flavor enhancement, providing umami notes. It is a processed ingredient that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: yeast extract
-
Is Soy Sauce Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Soy Sauce Powder is used here as flavor. Soy sauce powder adds depth of flavor but contains soy and wheat, which may be problematic for those with allergies.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: soy sauce powder (soy, wheat, maltodextrin, salt)
-
Is Milk Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Milk Powder is used here as flavor. Milk powder contributes creaminess and flavor but may pose issues for lactose-intolerant individuals.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: milk powder
-
Is Chicken Meat Powder safe in this food?
Good
Chicken Meat Powder is used here as flavor. Chicken meat powder enhances the flavor profile, adding richness to the ramen's taste.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: chicken meat powder
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder is a natural flavor enhancer that adds depth and aroma to the ramen.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic powder
-
Is Pork Fat safe in this food?
Medium
Pork Fat is used here as flavor. Pork fat contributes to the richness and mouthfeel of the ramen but is a processed ingredient that may raise health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: pork fat (1.5%)
-
Is Ginger Powder safe in this food?
Good
Ginger Powder is used here as flavor. Ginger powder adds a warm, spicy note to the ramen, enhancing its flavor complexity.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ginger powder
-
Is Dried Chives safe in this food?
Good
Dried Chives is used here as flavor. Dried chives provide a mild onion flavor and contribute to the overall taste profile of the ramen.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dried chives
-
Is Black Pepper safe in this food?
Good
Black Pepper is used here as flavor. Black pepper adds a spicy kick to the ramen, enhancing its flavor complexity.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: black pepper
-
Is Chili safe in this food?
Good
Chili is used here as flavor. Chili adds heat and depth to the flavor profile, contributing positively to the overall composition.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: chili
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used as an acidity regulator, providing a tangy flavor. It is a common ingredient but may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: acidity regulator: citric acid
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 4010635
More from this brand: Ajinomoto products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk , soy , wheat
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.