Nissin Foods® Top Ramen® Finds Noodle Zen With Updated Recipe

The original instant ramen reduces sodium and removes MSG and artificial flavors from beloved product line

Gardena, CA /PRNewswire/ - Today Nissin Foods, the inventor of instant ramen, announces a significant update to its iconic Top Ramen brand in the U.S. Nissin Top Ramen is responding to consumer demand for reduced sodium and fewer artificial ingredients by updating its entire product line to remove added MSG and artificial flavors and reduce sodium content. By focusing on what is truly important to the brand – delicious noodles – Top Ramen is improving its nutritional profile while maintaining the great taste fans love– all at the same, affordable price.

"Top Ramen is a product that consumers love – on its own or dressed up. What's imperative to us is that the core product – the ramen noodle – maintains its delicious flavor and integrity," says Gary Lai, Director of Marketing of Nissin Foods USA. "However, in response to consumer demand, we've been working diligently to remove unnecessary ingredients and lower the sodium while preserving the same taste and texture. We asked ourselves, 'How much can we remove while still maintaining our noodle essence?' We liken the process to finding our 'noodle zen' and we're extremely proud of the results."

After a series of blind taste tests, results revealed that consumers liked the new version of Top Ramen just as much as the previous recipe. Nutritional changes include:

• Reduced sodium by an average of 15% across all flavors
• Removed added MSG (product contains small amounts of naturally occurring glutamates)
• Removed all artificial flavors

To accompany the recipe update, Top Ramen is also unveiling new, modernized product packaging. Additionally, in response to consumer demand for vegetarian options on the shelf, the bold new packaging now calls out the two vegetarian flavors – Soy Sauce (formerly called Oriental) and Chili – directly so that they are more easily identified. Top Ramen is currently the largest instant ramen brand with vegetarian flavors in national distribution in the United States.

Consumers rely on Top Ramen as an affordable, quality meal they can count on. With the new improved recipe fans can feel even better about enjoying their favorite instant ramen noodle with the same ease and simplicity they've come to expect from Top Ramen, and hopefully find a little 'noodle zen' of their own.

Consumers can now find the new product on store shelves nationwide.

About Nissin Foods
Nissin Food Products Co. Ltd. was established by Momofuku Ando in 1958, who invented the first instant ramen noodle to Japan. In 1970, they established Nissin Foods (USA) Co., Inc. in Gardena, California and introduced Top Ramen noodles– the first ever instant ramen launched in the United State. For nearly 60 years, Nissin Foods has been providing consumers with quick and delicious meal solutions.

In the U.S., Nissin Foods USA develops and markets a variety of products including Top Ramen®, Cup Noodles®, Hot & Spicy®, Chow Mein, Ramen Bowl, RAOH®, and Souper Meal®, uniquely positioning them to meet the needs of today's busy lifestyles. The company's corporate philosophy inspires commitment to taste, convenience and quality.

For more information about Nissin Foods and Top Ramen, please visit www.NissinFoods.com