Indomie noodles is a quick fix meal for lots of individuals, especially those who are so busy prepare a meal that will take a long time.
It is highly consume by both young and old.
Nigeria is one of the countries that consume the most instant noodles, with 1.92 million servings as of May 2020, according to data from the World Instant Noodles Association (WINA).
However, a concern over the food’s safety have been raised worldwide, including in Nigeria, as a result of Malaysia and Taiwan’s decision to recall Indomie’s “special chicken” flavor noodles.
A cancer-causing component called Ethylene oxide was found in the product by the health organisations in the two nations.
Malaysian And Taiwan’s Finding
Following random inspections, the Taipei health department reported finding ethylene oxide in two varieties of instant noodles, including the Indomie chicken flavor.
It claimed that the product’s ethylene oxide detection did not meet criteria.
“The Taipei City Health Bureau reminds the food industry that our country has not approved the use of ethylene oxide as a pesticide, nor has it approved the use of ethylene oxide gas as a disinfection purpose,” the department said in a statement.
“The industry is sure to implement autonomous management and confirm that the raw materials and products should comply with food safety and health management.”
Ethylene oxide is a colourless, odourless gas that is used to sterilise medical devices and spices and has been described as a cancer-causing chemical.
In response to this development, the Malaysian health ministry stated that 11 instant noodle samples among 36 samples of instant noodles from various brands investigated since 2022 contained ethylene oxide.
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The concerned products had been recalled, the Malaysian ministry claimed, and enforcement measures had been implemented.
Safe For Consumption
Indofoods, an Indonesian company and maker of Indomie instant noodles, has denied the allegations noting that all its noodles are produced with standard certification.
However, Taiwan and Malaysia have ordered businesses to immediately remove the products from their shelves.
Taufik Wiraatmadja, a member of the board of directors at Indofoods, responded to the accusations in a statement on Friday, insisting that the noodles are safe for consumption.
The noodles, according to Mr. Wiraatmadja, have standard certificates and were made in accordance with international standards for food safety.
“All instant noodles produced by ICBP in Indonesia are processed in compliance with the food safety standards from the Codex Standard for Instant Noodles and standards set by the Indonesian National Agency for Drug and Food Control (“BPOM RI”).
“Our instant noodles have received Indonesian National Standard Certification (SNI), and are produced in certified production facilities based on international standards,” he wrote.
“ICBP has exported instant noodles to various countries around the world for more than 30 years.
“The Company continuously ensures that all of its products are in compliance with the applicable food safety regulations and guidelines in Indonesia as well as other countries where ICBP’s instant noodles are marketed.
“We would like to emphasise that in accordance with the statement released by BPOM RI, our Indomie instant noodles are safe for consumption.”
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