Indomie maker kicks after Malaysia, Taiwan reportedly detect cancer-causing substance in products

Indomie maker kicks after Malaysia, Taiwan reportedly detect cancer-causing substance in products 

 

Indofood, makers of Indomie instant noodles, has reacted to a recall of its products in Taiwan and Malaysia over an increased cancer risk.

Indomie noodles maker, Indofood, has challenged health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan over their reported detection of ethylene oxide in its “special chicken” flavour noodles capable of causing cancer.

The Malaysian health ministry said it had examined 36 samples of instant noodles from different brands since 2022 and found that 11 samples contained ethylene oxide.

The ministry said it had taken enforcement actions and recalled the affected products.

This came hours after the department of health in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, said it had also detected ethylene oxide in two types of instant noodles, including the Indomie chicken flavour.

Ethylene oxide is a colourless/odourless gas that is used to sterilise medical devices and spices and has been associated as a cancer causing chemical.

Reacting to the allegations in a statement, Taufik Wiraatmadja, a member of the board of directors at Indofoods, affirmed the safety of the noodles.

He said the noodles had received standard certifications and were produced in compliance with international food safety regulations.

The statement released on Friday said in part, “Following the media reports in Taiwan on 24 April 2023 regarding the detection of ethylene oxide (“EtO”) in the Ah Lai White Curry Noodles from Malaysia and seasoning of Indomie Special Chicken Flavour, PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk (“ICBP” or the “Company”) as a subsdiary of PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk wishes to provide explanation regarding Indomie, as follows,” the statement reads.

“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.

“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 emphasize that in accordance with the statement released by BPOM RI, our Indomie instant noodles are safe for consumption.”

 

Indomie maker kicks after Malaysia, Taiwan reportedly detect cancer-causing substance in products