For a lunch you can put together yourself, choose organic noodles whose cooking method and ingredients suit the meal you have in mind. Some rice varieties are labelled ‘gluten-free’, while wheat noodles can be cooked straight in the wok. If saving time is your priority, a ready meal means you don’t have to prepare a separate base, but its ingredients and allergen information still need to suit everyone who’ll be eating it. Organic labelling does not mean a product is gluten-free or allergen-free.
When lunch is decided at the last minute, you can choose between a quick-cooking base and a ready meal to heat up. JOM BAO Wok Express noodles and Bjorg’s Asian-style dish are examples of these two different options.
The ‘gluten-free’ label on the specific product matters more than its Asian inspiration. The JOM BAO and NOAD organic rice noodles featured here carry this label; always check the packaging of the product you buy, as well as any other relevant allergen information.
Plain rice or wheat noodles let you choose your own toppings and seasoning. You’ll need to plan those other parts of the meal too, unlike with a ready meal.
Start by checking the organic label and the ingredients on the specific pack. Then choose between a base to cook and a meal to heat up, depending on how much time you have and what ingredients are available.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic status | Check the organic labelling, the origin of the raw ingredients and the certifying body’s reference on the packaging. | I want to check the organic status of the specific product I’ve chosen rather than judge it by its appearance. Around 31% of consumers would put this check at the top of their list. |
| Preparation time | Distinguish between cooking straight in the wok, boiling in water and simply reheating; check the product instructions. | When lunch needs to be ready quickly, I look for ways to cut down on the steps before serving. Speed would be the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | If needed, look for a ‘gluten-free’ label and check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the specific pack. | If I need to avoid gluten or a specific allergen, the ingredients may rule out an otherwise convenient option. Around 25% of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Completing the meal | Check whether you’re buying plain noodles or a ready meal. For the latter, compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g or per portion. | I prefer a meal that needs few additions to having to prepare the toppings and sauce separately. This would be the top priority for around 19% of consumers. |
Organic noodles can be made from wheat. The JOM BAO and NOAD rice varieties described as gluten-free don’t mean that all rice noodles are suitable for anyone avoiding gluten.
If you need to avoid gluten, look for the relevant label on the product you’re buying and check its ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings too.
JOM BAO Wok Express noodles cook straight in the wok, but they’re still a base that needs other ingredients. Bjorg says its Asian-style dish is ready in 2 minutes; it contains wheat, egg, soya and sesame, among other ingredients.
Choose according to which steps you want to take care of, then check the ingredients of the product you’ve picked.
According to Agence Bio, the EU organic logo is compulsory on pre-packed food of European origin that meets the conditions for its use, but optional on imported food. So its absence alone isn’t enough to determine the status of an imported product.
Check all the organic information on the pack, including the origin of the raw ingredients and the certifying body’s reference.
Two different organic bases for putting lunch together: semi-wholegrain Thai rice noodles and Wok Express wheat noodles.
Organic semi-wholegrain rice noodles to use as a plain base for a lunch you put together yourself.
An Asian-inspired ready meal to consider if your priority is cutting down on preparation, rather than buying plain noodles.
Organic wheat noodles to cook and season yourself.
Carrefour’s range includes organic wholewheat wheat noodles in blocks and organic egg noodles in nests.
Read the organic information on the specific pack, including the certifying body’s reference and the origin of the raw ingredients. According to Agence Bio, the EU organic logo is compulsory on pre-packed food of European origin that meets the conditions for its use, but optional on imported food. So don’t judge imported products by the presence of this logo alone.
No: ‘organic’ doesn’t mean ‘gluten-free’. The JOM BAO and NOAD rice varieties featured by Auchan are explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’, while JOM BAO Wok Express noodles are made with wheat. Always check the exact product and its allergen information.
First, check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for the product you’ve chosen. Cooking straight in the wok, boiling in water and reheating a ready meal all involve different steps. Nutritional information also lets you compare products on a like-for-like basis, per 100 g or per portion.
Follow the best-before date and storage instructions printed on the pack you’ve bought. Instructions can vary between products. After opening or preparing the noodles, follow the guidance for that specific product rather than relying on the instructions from a different pack.