Parents keeping an eye on salt
You’re preparing a school lunchbox and want to take account of the salt in the noodles as well as in sauces, broths and seasoning sachets.
Who is this choice for?
Parents who prepare meals in advance
You’re looking for a convenient base for a packed lunch and need to choose between the speed of instant noodles and the option to control the seasoning yourself.
Families mindful of allergens
You need to check the ingredients in the noodles and anything served with them. The egg noodle varieties featured by Carrefour, Suzi Wan and Jardin Bio Etic contain wheat and egg.
What should you look for?
Noodles you season yourself
Choose these if: you want to control how much sauce or broth goes into the lunchbox.
Bear in mind: no sachet does not mean “reduced salt”; the egg noodle varieties featured by Carrefour, Suzi Wan and Jardin Bio Etic contain salt in the noodles themselves.
Seasoned instant noodles
Choose these if: convenience matters more to you than controlling the seasoning.
Bear in mind: Carrefour Sensation beef instant noodles contain salt in both the noodles and the sachet.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Salt in the meal | Compare the “salt” value per 100 g on the same basis, then take account of the sauce or sachet you use. | I want to choose my noodles without losing sight of the salt added to the meal; around 43% of consumers rank managing salt as their top priority. |
| Preparation and transport | Check the cooking instructions and plan suitable storage for the meal’s ingredients until lunchtime. | When I prepare a packed lunch in advance, I need a plan that works for the journey to school; convenience is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and check which allergens are highlighted, both on the noodles and on anything served with them. | If an ingredient isn’t suitable for my family, I need to be able to spot it before buying; around 28% of consumers put ingredient suitability first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “no sachet” means “reduced salt”
The egg noodles featured by Carrefour, Suzi Wan and Jardin Bio Etic list salt among their ingredients. Being able to control the added seasoning doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much salt the noodles contain.
Look for any relevant claim on the packaging and compare the nutrition information on the same basis.
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Forgetting about the sauce and seasoning sachet
Carrefour lists salt in both the Carrefour Sensation beef instant noodles and their powder sachet. The amount you use in the lunchbox matters too.
Check the noodles, sauce, broth and condiments separately before putting the meal together.
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Relying on the noodle type alone to check for allergens
The egg noodle varieties featured by Carrefour, Suzi Wan and Jardin Bio Etic list wheat and egg. Ingredients can vary between products.
Check the label on the product you buy, including the sauce; the DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted.
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Overlooking storage after preparation
If your lunchbox contains perishable ingredients, keeping it fresh until lunchtime is part of choosing a recipe. According to Anses, low temperatures slow the growth of micro-organisms.
Plan how to transport and store the meal in a way that’s suitable for the ingredients you’ve prepared.
Noodle brands to know for this choice
Carrefour Sensation
The range featured by Carrefour includes egg noodles for cooking and beef instant noodles with a seasoning sachet.
- These two formats make it easy to distinguish a base you season yourself from a product sold with its own seasoning.
- The ingredients list shows salt in the egg noodles; the beef instant noodle variety also lists salt in the sachet.
Suzi Wan
The egg noodles featured by Carrefour are suitable for dishes such as stir-fries and soups.
- This format lets you choose the seasoning you add to your recipe.
- The ingredients list includes wheat, egg and salt; check the label on the product you buy.
Jardin Bio Etic
The organic Chinese egg noodles featured by Carrefour make a base for stir-fries or broth.
- The stated cooking time is 4 minutes.
- The recipe shown contains wheat, eggs and salt; the organic label does not tell you how much salt it contains.
Lidl
Lidl France offers instant noodles in several flavours.
- The instant format is a convenient choice when you want a simple preparation option.
- If you’re choosing based on salt, check the nutrition information and ingredients on the packaging of the product you choose.
Noodles to season yourself on Joybuy
These rice noodles and egg noodles can be used as a base for a lunchbox with seasoning of your choice. Before comparing their salt content or looking for a “reduced salt” claim, check the nutrition information on each pack.
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Gia Bao Rice Noodle Bun Tuoi, 0.8mm, 500gram
Rice noodles to consider if you’d prefer to choose the lunchbox seasoning separately. The stated pack size is 500gram and the width is 0.8mm; check the “salt” value on the packaging before comparing.
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Wai Wai Rice Vermicelli, 200g
Rice vermicelli for a lunchbox where you control how much you add to accompany it. The stated pack size is 200g; check the label for ingredients, allergens and salt content.
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Go-Tan Wok Egg Noodles, 250g
Egg noodles for putting together a lunchbox with your choice of seasoning. The stated pack size is 250g; check the allergens and salt value per 100 g on the packaging before comparing them with other noodles.
Frequently asked questions
Are noodles without a sachet necessarily “reduced salt”?
No. A pack without a sachet lets you control how much seasoning you add, but the noodles themselves may contain salt. Check any relevant claim and the nutrition information on the packaging rather than assuming the salt content from the format alone.
How do you compare the salt content of two packs of noodles?
Compare the “salt” value per 100 g on the same basis, checking whether the figures refer to the dried noodles or the prepared product. Then take account of how much sauce or seasoning you plan to use in the lunchbox.
How should you store prepared noodles until lunchtime at school?
Choose a storage method that suits all the ingredients in the meal, especially if it contains perishable foods. According to Anses, keeping food at a low temperature slows the growth of micro-organisms; plan transport that will keep it at the right temperature until lunchtime.