MOH Reveals Mi Sedaap Also Contains Carcinogen & Products Have Been Recalled
The ministry assured that they have been doing continuous monitoring of instant noodle products in the local market.
By May Vin Ang — 26 Apr 2023, 05:03 PM
Following Taipei Department of Health's discovery of a carcinogen in two instant noodle brands from Malaysia and Indonesia, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has decided to remove both products from local shelves
Health director-general (DG) Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan released a statement today, 26 April, to assure that the ministry is taking action on the two products in Malaysian markets, even though they have passed local regulations.
The two instant noodle products that were found to have excessive levels of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing compound, in Taiwan markets were Malaysian brand Ah Lai's 'White Curry Noodles' and Indonesian brand Indomie's 'Special Chicken Flavour'.
"For Ah Lai's 'White Curry Noodles', sampling in Malaysia found that the products are in line with standards. Even so, to ensure continuous food safety, MOH has ordered the company to voluntarily retract the product with the expiry date of 25 August 2023," said the newly-appointed Health DG.
As for Indomie's 'Special Chicken Flavour' noodles, Radzi said the product will also be withdrawn from shelves and incoming batches will be held and tested before release at the country's entry points.
MOH also revealed that another brand of instant noodles, Mi Sedaap from Indonesia, had also been found to contain the carcinogen as a result of local sampling
The ministry said as some Mi Sedaap products had been found to contain ethylene oxide in 2022, the Food Safety and Quality Division has been continuously monitoring related food products in the local market.
"As a result of monitoring from 2022 until now of 36 samples of instant noodle products of various brands in the local market, it was found that 11 samples of Mi Sedaap products contained ethylene oxide and enforcement action has been taken," said Radzi.
"This includes compounds, court action, and also product recall," he explained.
The Singapore Food Agency recalled Mi Sedaap 'Korean Spicy Soup' and 'Korean Spicy Chicken' after traces of ethylene oxide were found in the instant noodles in 2022.
Image via Business TodayRadzi added that ethylene oxide, which is linked to lymphoma and leukaemia, is a chemical gas used in fumigation and in detergents
"It is not to be used on surfaces that come into contact with food," he said.
He also advised consumers who may have purchased the implicated products not to consume them.
According to the Singapore Food Agency, although there is no immediate risk to consumption of food contaminated with low levels of ethylene oxide, long term exposure may lead to health issues.
Therefore, exposure to this substance should be minimised.
