Cancer-causing chemicals found in two Southeast Asian noodle brands
According to Taipei’s Department of Health, which recently announced the results of the city 2023 examination of instant noodles accessible in Taipei, two varieties of instant noodles made by Southeast Asian brands were discovered to have a cancer-inducing chemical.
The department discovered ethylene oxide, a chemical component linked to lymphoma and leukemia, in a batch of Ah Lai White Curry Noodles ( both in the noodle and flavour packet) from Malaysia and a batch of Indomie: Special Chicken Flavour noodles (only in the flavour packet) from Indonesia.
It was reported that the retailer from where the samples were gathered has been requested to remove the two products off their shelves, and the products’ importers will face fines ranging from NT$60,000 (almost US$ 2,000) to NT$200 million.
According to the US National Cancer Institute, ethylene oxide is a combustible colorless gas with a pleasant odor at normal temperature. It is mostly used to make other compounds, such as antifreeze. Ethylene oxide is used as a pesticide and a sterilizing agent in small concentrations. Ethylene oxide’s propensity to break DNA makes it an excellent sterilizing agent, but it also accounts for its cancer-causing action. Human exposure to ethylene oxide is mostly by inhalation and ingestion.
Chen Yi-ting, director of the Taipei Department of Health Food and Drug Division stated that instant noodles were inspected by randomly selecting 30 products from the city’s supermarkets, convenience stores, hypermarkets, traditional wet markets, Southeast Asian food shops, and wholesale importers.
Source: Bernama
Category: Health alert
