Nissin Foods is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its staple product, Top Ramen, and CEO Mike Price said the company's founding principles of bringing peace by combating hunger remain true after all those decades.
"I think we believe this today," Price told Cheddar. "If there was food readily available around the world, there would be no more wars."
Top Ramen first hit shelves in Japan following World War II as the destructive aftermath left a strain on the country's food supply. A parallel to today as food insecurity is on the rise globally, particularly amid the coronavirus pandemic. While other industries have been stifled by the pandemic, Nissin contends it has been at its most productive.
"We've had no disruptions on the manufacturing side at all, and the reality is demand is at the highest we've ever seen it here in the United States," Price said.
As more of its noodles make it home to the pantry, Nissin isn't compromising on the quality of Top Ramen, according to the CEO, and customers are still getting the same inexpensive staple they've been getting since the company's inception.
"A few years ago, in response to what consumers were telling us, we did reduce the amount of sodium in our products," Price added. "We also took out added MSG, but otherwise, it's been pretty consistent for the last 50 years."
To celebrate its golden anniversary, Nissin its #HowDoYouTopRamen contest that features prizes of $10,000, a 50-year supply of noodles, and the title 'Chief Noodle Officer' awarded to the most creative dish using Top Ramen judged by Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. winner Melissa King.
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
Elon Musk on Monday targeted Apple and OpenAI in an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the iPhone maker and the ChatGPT maker are teaming up to thwart competition in artificial intelligence.
Hear from Gabino & Stephen Roche on Saphyre’s institutional AI platform that centralizes pre‑ and post‑trade data, redefining settlement speed and accuracy.
Elon Musk’s X has reached a tentative settlement with former employees of the company then known as Twitter who’d sued for $500 million in severance pay.
