Containing The Cause Of Cancer, Instant Noodles From Malaysia And Indonesia Withdrawn From Taiwan

Instant Noodles (Digital Photo Linds/Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Malaysia's Ministry of Health has ordered the recall of two types of instant noodles made by Malaysian and Indonesian producers after health authorities in Taiwan detected any type of carcinogenic substance in the product. The two dangerous noodles are Ah Lai White Curry Noodles made in Malaysia and Indomie: Special Chicken Flavor from Indonesia. Both contain ethylene oxides or cancer-causing substances. Director General of Health Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the producer "Ah Lai White Curry Noodles made in Malaysia has met local health standards but a number of products have been withdrawn to ensure food safety. "The Ministry of Health has instructed producers to voluntarily withdraw the batch of instant noodles which expired on August 25, 2023 from the local market," he said in a statement quoted from thenewsasia channel, Wednesday, April 26. Yesterday, spokesman Ah Lai White Curry Noodles said the company had sent samples to be tested in the laboratory following claims from the Taipei Department of Health. "We have sent our samples to the laboratory and are waiting for the results," the spokesman was quoted as saying by The Star. They didn't think the noodles tested by Taipei authorities were produced by the company. "They (the Taipei Health Department) have not shown the results or samples they used on us, but we don't think they are using our instant noodles," a spokesperson said as quoted by The Star. Dr Muhammad Radzi confirmed that mi "Indomie: Special Chicken Flavour" from Indonesia was imported to Malaysia. "The ministry has issued orders for detention, testing, and release of products at all entry points into the country. It has also instructed the company to voluntarily withdraw the product from the market," he said. The Taipei Department of Health reportedly said Monday that one batch of Mie Kari Putih "Ah Lai" and one batch of noodles "Indomie: Special Chicken Flavour" both contain chemical ethylene oxides associated with lymphoma and airing. The findings are part of the city's instant noodle check in 2023 which is available in Taipei. Unmentioned retailers from where samples were collected have reportedly been asked to withdraw the two products from their shelves. Meanwhile, importers will be fined. According to information on the Taiwan Toxics and Chemicals Bureau website under the Cabinet Level Environmental Protection Administration, etylene oxides are toxic if consumed or inhaled. Named as reporting that in addition to causing lymphoma and airing, ethylene oxides can also strongly irritate the skin and eyes of those who come into contact with the substance and can even trigger birth defects and offspring. Separately, Dr Muhammad Radzi said the health ministry had monitored food safety in products sold in local or imported markets after the recall of Mi Sedaap products last year. This happened after the samples of Indonesian-made noodles taken turned out to contain ethylene oxides. Dr Muhammad Razi said of the 36 samples taken from various instant noodle products in the Malaysian market, 11 samples of Mi Sedap were found to contain chemicals and law enforcement measures had been carried out. "The actions taken include clashes, court action and recall of products from the market," he said.