The Taipei Health Department has detected carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, substances in at least one Indomie instant noodle variant from Indonesia, following a random inspection of various brands of instant noodles available in the city.
Ethylene oxide, the chemical linked to lymphoma and leukaemia, was found in the seasoning packets of Indomie’s Ayam Spesial (special chicken) variant, the department said in a press release during the week.
“The detection of ethylene oxide in the product did not comply with the Pesticide Residue Allowance Standard announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and consequently, businesses within the jurisdiction have been ordered to immediately remove them from their shelves,” the statement said.
“A fine of between 60,000 yuan (US$1,953) and 200 million yuan will be imposed on operators or shops found to have defied the order to “remove the offending product from the shelves and destroy them”, the statement further added.
But Franciscus Welirang, director of Indomie producer PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, told reporters on Tuesday that the Indomie products exported to foreign countries abided by both “the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency [BPOM] and the health standards of the importing countries”, adding that the company would soon issue a “clarification” on the matter.
In Taiwan, food industries are “self-managing” when it comes to following the standards set by the country’s Food Safety and Sanitation Management, as the Health Ministry periodically performs random checks on the products sold in the market.
Indomie is Indonesia’s most popular instant noodle brand, with the latest survey by Katadata Insight Center (KIC) showing that over 88 % of respondents consumed Indomie last year.
It is also exported to 80 countries globally, with the highest demand found in Australia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, the United States, New Zealand and some African countries, including Nigeria.
Other than Indomie, Malaysia’s Ah Lai White Curry instant noodles were also found to contain ethylene oxide in Taipei. Other than potentially causing cancer, the substance has been found to be linked to severe skin and eye irritation, as well as hereditary defects.
Following the findings by Taiwanese authorities, Malaysia’s Health Ministry ordered on Wednesday the recall of the two batches of the instant noodles in question, The Star reported.
The ministry’s Director-General of Health, Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, said that while the manufacturer of Ah Lai White Curry Noodles had complied with local health standards, the recall order was made to ensure food safety.
The firm had previously sent samples to be tested by a laboratory, The Star further reported.(The Jakarta Post)
Meanwhile, INDOFOOD, the producers of Indomie Noodles, has debunked the claims by the Taiwanese and Malaysian governments that one of its product varieties – chicken flavour – contains ethylene oxide (“EtO”), a cancer-causing chemical linked to lymphoma and leukaemia.
In astatement on Friday, the company insisted its products are safe for public consumption.
But following their claims, Taiwan and Malaysia have gone further to order the recall of the products.
The State Online reports that indomie is a staple food in many homes in Nigeria, cherished by both children and adults.
As a result of its popularity, many people in the country identify all noodle products as indomie, the same way all newspapers were regarded as Daily Times until not long ago.
The product became popular in Nigeria in the ’90s, though it was first produced in Indonesia, the current headquarters of its manufacturer, in 1972.
INDOFOOD is one of the largest instant noodles manufacturers worldwide. The products are in more than 100 countries around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including Nigeria.
The product comes in many varieties, from classic soup flavours such as chicken, vegetable, and curry to its most popular flavour indomie mi goreng.
Its manufacturer claims it produces 19 billion packs annually.
We’ll address Nigerians on claims – NAFDAC
When contacted on Saturday morning, the Director of Public Affairs at the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Jimoh Abubakar, said the agency will look into the matter after deliberating with the agency’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye. /SHARE THIS
ADVERTISEMENTS
*Resourcing our various platforms targeted at emerging sectors – renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, and healthcare – aimed at ensuring the Authority achieves its dual objectives of delivering financial returns and impactful social outcomes.*************************
