Ramen Noodle Ingredients: Enriched Flour

Enriched flour is refined wheat flour that has had vitamins and minerals added back in during the milling process. These nutrients are lost when the bran and germ are removed to create white flour. The enrichment process typically adds back iron, thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), and folic acid (vitamin B9).

Enriched flour is a common ingredient in many baked goods and pasta products. Manufacturers use it as the primary flour component in items like bread, cakes, cookies, and noodles. It provides structure and texture to these foods.

In the US, enriched flour is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. The added nutrients can help prevent deficiencies in the population. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated flour enrichment, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also assesses food additives. Typical intakes of enriched flour are not associated with adverse health effects.