Know These Tips to Avoid Accidentally Eating Noodles Containing Borax and Harmful Chemicals

Many people enjoy fresh rice noodles daily, but not everyone knows how to tell which ones are safe and which may contain borax or other harmful additives. Understanding a few simple testing methods will help you protect your health and choose clean, safe noodles for your family.

Check Noodle Safety Using Fish Sauce

How to do it:

Step 1: Pour a small amount of fish sauce into a bowl.
Step 2: Drop a few strands of noodles into the bowl, mix gently, and observe.

If the noodles quickly absorb the fish sauce and soften, they are likely made from pure rice starch. Clean noodles absorb liquid easily and tend to become softer when soaked.

However, if after a few minutes the noodles still look shiny, dry, and do not absorb much liquid—even when lifted with chopsticks—they may contain chemicals such as borax. Borax makes noodles unnaturally firm, elastic, and resistant to water absorption.

Other Ways to Identify Clean Noodles

1. Look at the Color

Noodles made from pure rice usually have an off-white or slightly dull color. They may look a bit opaque rather than sparkling white.

In contrast, noodles containing borax or preservatives often have a bright, transparent white color and appear unnaturally glossy.

• Clean noodles tend to be softer, easier to break, and slightly sticky to the touch due to the natural texture of rice starch.

• Noodles with borax are firmer, springier, harder to break, and lack the sticky, soft feel of real rice.
  
  

2. Smell and Taste

Normally, clean noodles have a mild, slightly sour aroma. This gentle sourness is natural—it comes from rice soaked during the noodle-making process.

Noodles containing borax do not have this characteristic sour smell. If noodles are left out at the market all day in warm weather but do not smell sour at all, they are likely treated with borax or excessive preservatives to prevent spoilage.

• Safe, chemical-free noodles taste like rice when eaten. If kept overnight or for a day, they will naturally become sour and spoil.

• Noodles that stay fresh for 2–3 days without souring, or have no noticeable flavor when chewed, are highly likely to contain borax or preservatives beyond safe limits. When tested with turmeric powder, chemically treated noodles may even turn gray.

Warning From Food Safety Experts

Experts caution consumers to be extra careful with fresh noodles, rice sheets, or vermicelli that look overly white and glossy under bright light. One useful method is to use a UV flashlight:

• If the noodles glow under UV light, they may contain Tinopal, a fluorescent whitening agent.

Accumulation of fluorescent agents like Tinopal in the human body can lead to serious health risks. Early effects include digestive issues such as slow digestion, intestinal inflammation, and stomach irritation. Over time, these substances may cause liver and kidney damage, affect the nervous system, and in severe cases, trigger genetic mutations that increase the risk of cancer.

Be a Smart Shopper for Your Family's Health

Choosing safe noodles is essential for protecting your family from invisible chemical hazards. Whenever purchasing fresh noodles, be attentive to their smell, texture, color, and even how they behave when stored.

By being selective and observing these simple signs, you can avoid unintentionally consuming harmful additives and ensure you are bringing home clean, safe food that supports long-term health.