Tobias Sylvester
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has banned the importation of Indomie noodles into Nigeria over cancer scare.
KanyiDaily recalls that Indomie noodles was recently recalled by Taiwan and Malaysia authorities following the discovery of a cancer-causing agent.
It was gathered that a compound called ethylene oxide, a potentially cancer-causing substance, was detected in Indomie’s “special chicken” flavour noodles by health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan.
But the makers of Indomie noodles, Indofod, defended the safety of its products, saying all instant noodles were 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.
In a statement on Monday, NAFDAC Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye said the agency would commence the random sampling of Indomie noodles, including the seasoning from the production facilities and the markets tomorrow (Tuesday).
Adeyeye also said the importation of Indomie noodles into Nigeria had been banned for many years and the products were on the prohibition list.
The statement reads, “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 Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate samples from the markets.
“The compound of interest is ethylene oxide, so the Director, Food Lab Services Directorate has been engaged. He is working on the methodology for the analysis.
“It should be noted that Indomie noodles have been banned from being imported into the country for many years. It is one of the foods on the government prohibition list. It is not allowed in Nigeria, and therefore not registered by NAFDAC.
“What we are doing is an extra caution to ensure that the product is not smuggled in, and if so, our post-marketing surveillance would detect it.
“We also want to be sure that the spices used for the Indomie and other noodles in Nigeria are tested. That is what NAFDAC Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) and Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) are doing this week at the production facilities and in the market, respectively. Thank you.
“The public will be duly updated with the outcomes of the investigation.”
KanyiDaily had also reported how four suspected internet fraudsters dead after eating eggs and Indomie at Ajanomi Area in Abraka Community, Delta State.
