Use your noodle

Health star ratings are a welcome addition to food labels but they are only useful when you compare like with like.

- JENNIFER BOWDEN

QUESTION: My teenage son loves snacking on instant noodles. After reading about the health risks of ultra-processed foods, I was thinking about not buying them any more. But the ones we buy have a 3-star health rating on the front of the packet. How can an ultra-processed food achieve this?

ANSWER: The health star-rating system is designed to help consumers choose healthier options among packaged foods. However, while more stars indicate a more nutritious food, that is true only when comparing products within a food category. And just because a rating grades a product as "healthier" than its competitor's does not make the food a health-promoting choice.

Comparing a rating for instant noodles with one for breakfast cereal is therefore meaningless. Instead, you should use the rating to compare products within the same product category.

When comparing all the different types of instant noodles on the market, Maggi 2 Minute Noodles has a rating of 3 stars, whereas Fusian Mi Goreng Hot & Spicy Noodles has a lower rating of 2.5 stars, so the Maggi 2-Minute Noodles are healthier.