NissinInstant Noodles#69 of 85 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Nissin Italiano Cup Noodles

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High sodium (1283.6mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (8.8g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (8.8g)

Ingredients, decoded

19 listed
  • Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)
  • Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil)
  • Dehydrated Pieces 5.18% (Corn, French Beans, Red Chilli Ring, Chilli Flakes, Green Capsicum & Oregano)
  • Iodised Salt
  • Sugar
  • Skimmed Milk Powder
  • Corn Starch
  • Tomato Powder
  • Mixed Spices 0.66% (Red Chilli, Black Pepper & Basil)
  • Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein Powder (Soya)
  • Yeast Extract Powder
  • Acidity Regulators [INS 330, INS 500(i) & INS 451(i)]
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Colour [INS 160c(i)]
  • Thickener (INS 415)
  • Flavour Enhancers (INS 631 & INS 627)
  • Nature Identical Flavour
  • Anticaking Agent (INS 551) & Antioxidant (INS 319)
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DC4

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictPOOR
Energy462 kcal
Protein8.8 g
Carbohydrates65.1 g
Total sugars2.1 g
Added sugars0.8 g
Total fat17.2 g
Saturated fat8.8 g
Trans fat0.1 g
Cholesterol0.1 mg
Sodium1283.6 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Oregano and tomato, almost no added sugar

Nissin Italiano is a cup of palm-fried maida noodles with dried corn, beans, chilli, capsicum and oregano, and a tomato-milk seasoning with basil, black pepper and flavour enhancers.

CleanPlate scores it DC4. The D for nutrition reflects modest protein and no declared fibre. The C for ingredients reflects maida, palm oil, TBHQ and enhancers, helped by real vegetables and herbs. The 4 for risk comes from very high sodium and saturated fat.

Claims vs reality

What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.

  • Product name

    “Italiano / Italian Delight”

    Holds

    Oregano, basil, tomato and capsicum are listed; it is an Italian-style flavour on a standard fried noodle.

How DC4 breaks down

Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.

How we score →
01 Nutritional valueA to E
D

Low nutrient density

Protein
8.8 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
462 kcal

Scored on eight nutrients (protein, fibre, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, D and zinc), per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E
C

Mixed processing and additives

Base
Refined Wheat Flour
Main fat
Edible Vegetable Oil
Sweeteners
Sugar
Additives
6
Flagged
3 ingredients

Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Added sugar
0.8 g
Sodium
1283.6 mg
Saturated fat
8.8 g
Trans fat
0.1 g

Scored on added sugar, sodium and saturated fat, with a penalty for trans fat.

A closer look

Does the label add up?

Maida, palm oil, dried corn, beans, chilli, capsicum and oregano (5.18%), salt, sugar, skimmed milk powder, corn starch, tomato powder, chilli, pepper and basil (0.66%), hydrolysed soy protein, yeast extract, acidity regulators, garlic, onion, paprika colour, xanthan gum, enhancers 631 and 627, flavour, anticaking agent and TBHQ.

Per 100 g: 462 kcal, 17.2 g fat of which 8.8 g saturated, 1284 mg sodium, 0.8 g added sugar and 8.8 g protein.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    1284 mg per 100 g; 899 mg in one 70 g cup, 45% of the daily limit.

  • Saturated fatConcern

    8.8 g per 100 g from palm oil.

  • TBHQ (319)Concern

    A synthetic antioxidant in the palm-fried noodle.

  • Low sugarFine

    0.8 g added sugar per 100 g.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Italian means pasta, not fried noodles"

This is the same palm-fried maida noodle as other cups, with an Italian-style seasoning.

Myth: "MSG is what makes instant noodles unhealthy"

Flavour enhancers are not the main issue at food levels. The salt, the palm-fried refined flour and the lack of fibre matter far more.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsOccasionally
  • ChildrenOccasionally
  • High blood pressureAvoid

Smarter ways to eat it

Add fresh tomato and basil

Chopped tomato, basil and a little cheese stretch the flavour, so you can drink less of the broth.

Make it a meal

Add an egg, paneer, tofu or boiled chana and a handful of vegetables so the bowl brings protein and fibre, not just refined flour.

Common questions

Is Nissin Italiano Cup Noodles healthy?

Nissin Italiano Cup Noodles scores DC4 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: Contains TBHQ; High sodium (1283.6mg per 100g); High saturated fat (8.8g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: Source of protein (8.8g).

What does the DC4 score mean?

The first letter (D) grades nutritional value: low nutrient density. The second letter (C) grades ingredient and label integrity: mixed processing and additives. The number (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.

Which ingredients in Nissin Italiano Cup Noodles should I watch?

Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil) (Palm oil), Anticaking Agent (INS 551) & Antioxidant (INS 319) (TBHQ).

Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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