Why You Shouldn't Microwave A Cup Of Instant Ramen Noodles
We know the label clearly says not to do it, but we’ve all done it.
Instant ramen in a cup is basically the lifeblood of the broke college student. Microwaveable anything pretty much falls into the category of perfect for anyone who is low on funds and lacks access to a full kitchen. But the catch with instant ramen is that the packaging clearly states you should not microwave the cup.
The "correct" (based on packaging instructions) way to make instant ramen in a cup is by boiling water separately and then pouring it into the cup of noodles. However, I will take the fall and admit on behalf of all former dorm inhabitants that I used to just pour room temperature water into the styrofoam cup and pop it into the microwave. Unfortunately, there are safety risks and health risks to this method.
What are the risks of microwaving instant ramen?
In terms of safety risk, more than once I recall someone set off the fire alarm in my dorm by microwaving the cup without any water. Even if you do put water in the cup, though, there's a chance that the styrofoam will not be able to withstand the heat of the microwave. Depending on how long you microwave the cup, it could melt or crack enough to cause a very hot spill.
As for health risks, heating up styrofoam in a microwave could lead to you ingesting some pretty toxic substances. Styrofoam contains expanded polystyrene (EPS) foams and within that is a chemical called styrene which when heated up can seep ointo your food. Though ingesting styrene with your noodles won't affect your health immediately, over time it could. The CDC warns that breathing in high levels of the chemical can lead to symptoms such as tiredness, feeling drunk, slowed reaction time, concentration problems, or balance problems.
Knowing all this might make you wonder why instant ramen brands use styrofoam cups in the first place. Both the Maruchan brand and Nissin Foods, the Cup O' Noodles brand, state on FAQ pages that styrofoam cups are used because they retain heat best and are recyclable.
Don't abandon your microwave just yet, though! Here are some tips on microwaving your food the right way.