We know the label clearly says not to do it, but we’ve all done it.
A cup of instant ramen is essentially a broke college student’s lifeblood. Anything that can be microwaved is essentially ideal for those with limited resources and no access to a full kitchen. The problem with instant ramen, though, is that the packaging makes it very clear that you shouldn’t microwave the cup. Share subtitles for MTN DEW Baja Blast Hot Sauce, which is a gorgeous oddity.
The “correct” method (per the directions on the package) for preparing instant ramen in a cup is to bring a separate pot of water to a boil before adding it to the cup of noodles. But I’ll accept responsibility and acknowledge, on behalf of everyone who ever lived in a dorm, that I used to simply put room temperature water in the foam cup and microwave it. Regretfully, there are risks to this method’s health and safety. Advertisement.
It turns out that a lot of people have been heating up Cup Noodles without reading the labels, which are a mainstay of kitchen pantries, college dorms, and a lot of childhood memories. Many people have expressed their shock on social media upon learning that the original Cup Noodles were never intended to be microwaved. Others are equally perplexed as to why Cup Noodles have been microwaved when the label makes it obvious to “Do not microwave.” ”.
Nissin revealed last week that it will be redesigning the classic Cup Noodles in early 2024. Instead of polystyrene, it’ll be made out of paper. Nissin also announces that its Cup Noodles can now be microwaved because of the updated packaging. That is, you weren’t meant to be heating up Cup Noodles in a microwave.
But no, you’re not supposed to microwave polystyrene unless it comes with a microwave-safe label. Polystyrene is a popular food container because it’s light, cheap to make, and works well as an insulator to keep food warm. However, when heated, research shows substances within the polystyrene can leach into your food. The main cause for concern is styrene, which may impact the nervous system and is a possible carcinogen. Instant noodles come in all shapes and packaging — some of which are microwavable. Others aren’t. : Getty
Microwaving polystyrene also compromises the structural integrity of Cup Noodles and can lead to burns if the container cracks. Recently, UChicago Medicine’s Burn and Wound Center published a study that discovered a third of childhood burns were caused by instant noodles. More specifically, the study’s authors said in a press release that the burns often occurred due to “inadvertent spills when removing containers from the microwave, along with spills while eating due to the narrow bases of instant noodle cups.”
To be fair, this particular variety of cup noodle and Nissin, the original instant noodle brand, may be the source of some of the confusion. There’s a veritable cornucopia of instant noodle brands and containers. Some are microwavable and have been for a long time. It all depends on the instructions on the label.
