BPOM Ensures Instant Noodle Products Circulating In Indonesia Is Safe

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/baljinnyam sumiyasuren

JAKARTA - The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) ensures that instant noodle products circulating in Indonesia have met safety requirements following the recall of Mie Sedaap products in Hong Kong.

Deputy for Processed Food Supervision at BPOM Rita Endang said the Korean Spicy Chicken Mie Sedaap products circulating in Indonesia are different from the same branded products circulating in Hong Kong.

"Based on BPOM's investigation, the instant noodle products pulled from the market in Hong Kong are different from the same brands on the Indonesian market," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, September 29.

BPOM has requested a more detailed explanation from the Hong Kong authorities regarding the recall of the Spicy Chicken Mie Sedaap, Korean-style spicy chicken-flavored fried instant noodles.

According to an information broadcast by the Hong Kong Center for Food Safety (CFS) on September 27, 2022, the Mie Sedaap Korean Spicy Chicken Flavor Fried Noodle product was recalled from circulation because it was detected to contain pesticide residues of ethylene oxide (EtO).

According to CFS, residues of the pesticide EtO, which is commonly used for fumigation, were found in dried noodles, chili powder, and seasonings in the instant noodle product.

BPOM stated that the finding of residues of EtO and its derivatives (2-Chloro Ethanol/2-CE) in food is a new issue that began with a notification by the European Union Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (EURASFF) in 2020.

Despite ensuring that instant noodle products circulating in the Indonesian market, including Mie Sedaap products, have met safety requirements, BPOM still asks for clarification from the Hong Kong security agency regarding the pesticide residue content in Mie Sedaap products.

This was done considering that the international organization under the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Codex Allimentarius Commission (CAC), has not yet regulated about EtO and its derivative compounds and the arrangements in various countries regarding it are also varied.

BPOM also reviews policies regarding the content of EtO and its derivative compounds in instant noodles and monitors the latest developments regarding international food safety regulations and standards.

In addition, BPOM conducts sampling and testing to determine the content of these compounds in food products and the level of exposure.

BPOM conducts pre- and post-market supervision to ensure that food products registered with BPOM and circulating in Indonesia are safe for consumption.

BPOM urges residents to remember the CLICK Check or Check Packaging, Labels, Distribution Permits, and Expires before buying or consuming food products.