Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Itsu Crystal noodles sesame glaze ultra-processed?

77g Instant noodles Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of Itsu Crystal noodles sesame glaze

Yes, it's ultra-processed

  1. 1 Unprocessed
  2. 2 Kitchen staple
  3. 3 Processed
  4. 4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

  • 35 ingredients
  • No additives

Less processed instant noodles

Less processed isn't automatically healthier, so compare the labels for what matters to you, such as sugar or salt.

Ingredients

Ultra-processing Processing signs are highlighted

Crystal noodles 52% (pea starch, water, mung bean starch), broth paste 47%, soy sauce (water, soya stock, maltodextrin, natural flavouring, yeast extract, salt, beans, wheat, salt, alcohol, tahini paste, dried onion), sesame oil 11%, mirin, fermented rice, water, maltose, alcohol, yeast extract, sugar, rapeseed oil, ginger, chilli puree, paprika, garlic puree, black sugar, pepper, leek, including cereals containing gluten

As written on the pack

Crystal noodles (52%) (pea starch, water, mung bean starch), broth paste (47%) (soy sauce [water, soya stock (maltodextrin, natural flavouring, yeast extract, salt, beans, wheat, salt, alcohol, tahini paste (sesame) (20%), dried onion], sesame oil (11%), mirin [fermented rice, water, maltose, alcohol, yeast extract, sugar, rapeseed oil, ginger puree, chilli puree, paprika, garlic puree, black sugar, pepper), leek. Allergy advice: for allergens, including cereals containing gluten,

What makes it ultra-processed

Cosmetic additives

Added to change how the food looks, feels or tastes, not to keep it safe. A hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.

Substances rarely used in home kitchens

Refined or extracted in factories, such as syrups made from starch or isolated proteins. The other hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • Maltodextrin Maltodextrin is a white powder made by partly breaking down starch.
5 ingredients that would only make it processed

Kitchen staples like sugar, salt and oil. On their own they make a food processed, not ultra-processed.

  • Salt Salt, added for taste and preservation.
  • Starch Starch extracted from cereals or potatoes, used to thicken.
  • Sugar Sugar refined from sugar cane or beet.
  • Vegetable oil Vegetable oils are pressed or extracted from seeds, nuts and fruits.
  • Sauce A prepared sauce used as an ingredient.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 242 instant noodles

From least to most processed, this one ranks 33rd. 93% of the instant noodles here are ultra-processed.

Ranked by NOVA group, then by the number of ultra-processing signs, additives and ingredients. Our ordering, not part of NOVA.

All 242 instant noodles, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5060960661562, last edited 27 March 2026), available under the Open Database License. If something is wrong or the recipe has changed, you can correct it there.
  • Photo: Open Food Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
  • The NOVA group is an automated estimate from crowdsourced data: a missing or mistyped ingredient can change it.
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.