NAFDAC speaks as Malaysia, Taiwan recall Indomie Noodles over concern for cancer

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC says it has swung into action as a result of the decision of authorities in Malaysia and Taiwan to recall a brand of Indomie Noodles, called “Special Chicken Flavour’ following detection of carcinogenic compounds in the product by health officials.

In a statement, NAFDAC said that it is aware of recall of the product by Taiwan and Malaysia as a result of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with increased risk of cancer.

“NAFDAC as a responsible and responsive organization is taking swift action by carrying out random sampling of Indomie Noodles, including seasoning for the presence of ethylene oxide as well as extending the investigation to cover other brands of Instant Noodles offered for sale to Nigerians”, the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye said in the statement.

She assured the public that thorough investigation of the products will be conducted both at the factory and market level and that the findings will be communicated.

She added that the implicated Instant Noodles, ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ is not registered with NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria. “ It is important to mention that noodles are on the import prohibition list of the federal government of Nigeria and is therefore not permitted for importation into Nigeria”, she added.

NAFDAC said the indomie instant noodles products and other brands of noodles registered with NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria market are manufactured in Nigeria and are only granted NAFDAC registration status, following a strict regulation regime covering all aspects of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

She said the Ports Inspection Directorate (PID) is equally on high alert to guard against the importation of the product into Nigeria, assuring that the agency remains alive to its responsibility of safeguarding the health of the public.