Ethylene Oxide: NAFDAC Takes Noodle Samples For Investigation

Concerned about the safety of Indomie noodles following the discovery of ethylene oxide in the product by some countries, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken Indomie samples for investigation.

Ethylene oxide is a compound used as a chemical intermediate in the production of various products, it is known to be carcinogenic.

The director-general of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday said the agency was working on the methodology for the analysis.

She said, “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.”

Taiwan and Malaysia authorities have recalled Indomie noodles over the cancer-causing compound.

Meanwhile, Adeyeye said importation of Indomie noodles was already banned in the country some years ago, adding that the product is one of the foods on the government prohibition list.

She said it is only Indomie noodles produced in Nigeria that are approved for circulation and consumption, not imported products.

“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,” she explained.

Adeyeye described the action as extra caution to ensure that the product is not smuggled into the country.

“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,” she added.