Cup Noodles Moves to Microwavable Paper Cup

Nissin Foods USA has recently unveiled what—for the company —s a groundbreaking change to its iconic Cup Noodles ramen noodle soup packaging, announcing the replacement of the long-standing polystyrene cup with a new, environmentally friendly paper cup set to debut in early 2024. This shift marks a significant departure from tradition, as the brand has utilized the PS cup since its introduction in the U.S. back in 1973.

“Since its invention more than 50 years ago, Cup Noodles has become a cultural mainstay and a staple in households around the world,” says Michael Price, president and chief executive officer of Nissin Foods USA. “And while Cup Noodles will continue to have that same satisfying taste and iconic look, we continue to find ways to evolve the brand to support the current needs of our consumers, the environment, and the world. This updated packaging and the new paper cup marks an important milestone for Cup Noodles and a key step in our environmental commitment.”

The transition to the new packaging was done in partnership with Graphic Packaging International and involves its proprietary retail double-wall fiber-based cup. Noted President and Chief Executive Officer of GPI Michael Doss in the company’s Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Call in October, “Historically, the noodle cups have been made of foam. The fiber-based solution we developed serves as a more sustainable packaging alternative and is effective in shelf-stable retail environments. Notably, our retail cup solution for Nissin provides added convenience for the consumer as it is safe for microwave use, eliminating an extra step required meal preparation when using foam.”