Pot Noodles are newest jail forex with lags ‘hoarding them like gold’
Pot Noodles are already a popular item on the outside, but in prisons it’s taken to a whole other level as former lags revealed they are being hoarded to be used as currency
Prisoners are hoarding Pot Noodles “like gold” to use as precious prison currency, an ex con has said. He said the chicken and mushroom flavour was so popular it always sold out first, much like on the outside.
And the vintage snack is causing all-out war on the wings as prison lags battle to get their hands on one. The inside info came from a Reddit thread where someone asked: “Has anyone been to jail in the UK and do they have Pot Noodles?”
They added: “Was just eating one thinking how, if I was in prison, it would be such a treat.” Whilst many people joined in the bizarre thought experiment, some former inmates did come forward to reveal just how in demand the beloved snack really is.
The result was a flurry of responses, including from some former prisoners, about how Pot Noodles are rated behind bars. One said: “Been inside for a few months back in 2019.
“Yeah, they had Pot Noodles in the canteen but they were like £2 each which is mental when you’re earning 50p a week cleaning toilets,” they added. “The chicken and mushroom ones were always sold out first, everyone hoarded them like gold.”
Another said: “Yes they have three flavour choices for Pot Noodles, certainly in Scottish prisons anyway.” Whilst a third explained: “Yeah but trying to get a chicken and mushroom one is a nightmare.”
Others queried the high price when they can be bought from supermarkets for just £1. And one said they were amazed that chicken and mushroom was more popular than beef and tomato.
Instant noodles are mentioned on the government’s official list of items allowed in cells. Although, whilst they are permitted, they must have been bought from the prison shop.
Pot Noodles are one of Britain’s most enduring snack items. Introduced by Golden Wonder in 1977, they are dehydrated before hot water is added.
Pot Noodles are incredibly popular, and are often flying off the shelves as Brits tuck into the easy snack. Some supermarkets on the outside have already cashed in on their popularity after Tesco revealed that a Pot Noodle could count in a meal deal as a snack.
The brand has a slew of flavours, ranging from chicken and mushroom to different meaty flavours. However, they have faced controversy in recent years after they temporarily decided to ditch the iconic pot in 2020, leading to a huge backlash.
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