Following claims that a cancer-causing chemical was discovered in the noodles and claims that the agency was not registered, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced a ban on the importation of Indomie noodles into Nigeria.
According to reports, Ethylene oxide, a substance in Indomie’s “special chicken” flavor noodles, was recently discovered by health regulators in Malaysia and Taiwan.
Ethylene oxide, a colorless, odorless gas used to sterilize medical equipment and spices, is thought to be a carcinogen.
The Malaysian Ministry of Health reported that, after examining 36 samples of instant noodles from various brands since 2022, it was discovered that 11 of the samples contained ethylene oxide.
NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye discussed the situation and announced that the organization will start testing random samples of the noodles and other brands on May 2.
Speaking on Monday, Adeyeye claimed that as soon as the NAFDAC learned that the products had been recalled by Malaysian and Taiwanese officials, it began an investigation.
“Tomorrow, May 2, 2023, NAFDAC’s food safety and applied nutrition directorate will randomly sample Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) from the production facilities while the post-marketing surveillance directorate (will) samples from the markets,” she said.
“The compound of interest is ethylene oxide, so the director, of food lab services directorate has been engaged. He is working on the methodology for the analysis.”
The DG said the product is on the prohibition list of the federal government, adding that it is not registered by the agency and had been banned from importation to Nigeria years ago.
