Staff Writer
Despite being recalled in Taiwan and Malaysia for “containing carcinogenic substances,” the popular Indomie instant noodle variety was declared safe for consumption in Indonesia by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency.
The Indomie Special Chicken Flavour noodles were recently recalled by the Malaysian Health Ministry and Taipei City Health Department due to the presence of ethylene oxide, a chemical known to cause cancer.
Ethylene oxide, a chemical frequently used to kill insects and other pests, sterilize medical equipment, disinfect items, and sterilize spices, has been related to lymphoma and leukemia.
Taiwan News reports that during a series of arbitrary inspections of instant noodle products available on the market, Indomie Special Chicken Flavour was found to possess an excessive amount of the hazardous gas ethylene oxide.
The popular instant noodles met the safety criteria for ethylene oxide, according to a statement released on Thursday by Indonesia’s food and drug regulator, meaning they are safe to eat.
“The Indomie chicken special variant did contain Ethylene oxide, but is at a level that is acceptable to the country’s health agency standard,” it stated in a news release.
“The level found in the Taiwanese instant noodle sample (0,34 ppm) is still well below the limit used in Indonesia and other nations like the US and Canada. As a result, the instant noodles are safe to eat in Indonesia because they met the local standards, according to the health department.
On their website, Indomie advertises its unique Chicken Flavour instant noodles as being more tasty and succulent than the company’s standard chicken line. Customers are encouraged to make the noodles even more unique by using poached eggs, chicken meat, and vegetables.
