Is Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)

Updated September 9, 2026

B+ Likely Safe

Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor

Maruchan

Safe ingredients
37
Likely safe ingredients
3
Caution ingredients
0
Avoid ingredients
0
Total ingredients
40

Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor is generally compatible with pregnancy in ordinary food portions, with a B+ ingredient based grade. MSG and two phosphate additives are rated likely safe at typical food levels, rather than ingredients you need to avoid; pregnancy specific human evidence for MSG remains limited.

Go ahead and use it. Nothing to worry about here.

Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.

What Ingredients Are in Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor?

Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor has 40 ingredients. All 40 ingredients are considered safe or likely safe for pregnancy.

LIKELY SAFE

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly used to impart a savory, umami taste to various dishes. MSG is low concern at typical food additive levels during pregnancy, although human pregnancy specific data are limited and high dose exposures are not equivalent.

monosodium phosphate

LIKELY SAFE

Monosodium phosphate is a white, crystalline salt commonly used as a food additive, buffering agent, and emulsifier. Monosodium phosphate is likely safe at normal food amounts during pregnancy, while high dose phosphate products and kidney disease require separate medical guidance.

sodium tripolyphosphate

LIKELY SAFE

Sodium tripolyphosphate is a chemical compound commonly used as a food additive and water softener, known for its ability to bind with metal ions and improve cleaning efficiency. Sodium tripolyphosphate is likely safe at ordinary food exposures during pregnancy, which differ from high dose phosphate supplements or medical bowel preparations.

enriched wheat flour

SAFE

Enriched wheat flour is refined wheat flour that has been fortified with added nutrients such as iron and B vitamins to restore its nutritional value. Cooked enriched wheat flour is compatible with pregnancy and can contribute folic acid, while raw flour and dough carry separate foodborne illness risks.

folic acid

SAFE

Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 essential for DNA synthesis and cell growth. Folic acid at normal food fortification amounts is compatible with pregnancy, but this ramen should not replace your recommended prenatal supplementation.

Answering Your Questions

How much Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor is safe during pregnancy?

Use the package's labeled serving size as a starting point, adjusting the portion to your appetite and meal needs. Check sodium per serving and consider using less seasoning, with vegetables and fully cooked protein to round out the meal.

Can you use Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor daily while pregnant?

Keep it as an occasional convenience meal within a varied diet rather than your everyday staple. There is no established pregnancy specific weekly limit for this product; follow individualized dietary advice if you have hypertension, kidney disease, or gestational diabetes.

Why does Maruchan Chicken Flavor Ramen receive a B+ grade?

Its B+ comes from ingredient based scoring, with monosodium glutamate, monosodium phosphate, and sodium tripolyphosphate contributing likely safe ratings. These ingredients are low concern at ordinary food exposures, not classified as caution or avoid. The grade does not mean every ingredient has been individually established safe in pregnancy, and it is not a measure of nutritional completeness.

Can I eat this ramen while breastfeeding?

The B+ grade applies to pregnancy, not a separate breastfeeding assessment. It does not establish a breastfeeding specific serving limit or a reason to avoid this product; consider your overall diet, personal allergies, and any dietary guidance from your care team.

What alternatives should I look for during pregnancy?

Look for noodles with lower sodium broth, or prepare plain noodles with broth you season yourself. Add vegetables and fully cooked protein for a more varied meal. Compare labels rather than assuming another flavor or brand has a better pregnancy rating.

Does Maruchan Chicken Flavor Ramen contain real chicken?

Yes, its ingredient list includes powdered cooked chicken, so it is not vegetarian. The ingredient name alone does not tell you how much protein a serving provides.

Can I eat chicken noodle soup during pregnancy?

Yes, properly prepared chicken noodle soup can fit into your pregnancy diet. Prepare this ramen according to the package directions using safe drinking water, and fully cook any chicken or egg you add.

Should I avoid the MSG or phosphate additives?

They are rated likely safe at typical food additive amounts, so their presence alone is not a reason to avoid an ordinary serving. MSG has limited pregnancy specific human data, and high dose animal findings should not be treated as evidence of harm from normal food use. Phosphate supplements, laxatives, and bowel preparations are different exposures; kidney disease also calls for individualized advice.

What Are Pregnancy Safe Alternatives to Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor?

Here are some solid alternatives. Everything below has an A or B grade, meaning no flagged ingredients in our database.

Grade Product Brand Type
A Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen Carbonara Samyang ramen
A Buldak Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor Ramen Samyang ramen
A Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Flavour Ramen - Carbonara 130G Samyang ramen
A Paldo Kokomen Ramen Spicy Chicken 5P 21.15Z Paldo ramen

Are Other Maruchan Products Safe During Pregnancy?

Yep! All 10 other Maruchan products we looked at are safe (A or B grades).

Grade Product Type
B+ Instant Lunch Chili Piquin & Shrimp Ramen Noodle Soup ramen noodle soup
B+ Instant Lunch Hot & Spicy Flavor With Shrimp Ramen Noodle Soup ramen
B+ Instant Lunch Lime Chili Flavor With Shrimp instant noodles
B+ Instant Lunch Shrimp Ramen Noodle Soup 3Oz ramen noodle soup

How Does Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor Compare to Other Ramens?

We graded 382 Ramens for pregnancy safety. Here's how they stack up:

A
21%
B
40%
C
35%
D
1%
F
4%

Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor earns a B+ grade, placing it among the top of Ramens. About 61% of products in this category get an A or B grade.

How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?

We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.

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References

  1. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/questions-and-answers-monosodium-glutamate-msg
  2. https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4910
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32625571/
  4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6952072/
  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10104942/