The food safety and applied nutrition directorate of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) will on Tuesday begin random sampling of Indomie noodles and its seasoning to identify ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic chemical associated with increased risk of lymphoid and breast cancers.
The test launched in reaction to the recall of Indomie noodles by Taiwan and Malaysia authorities will be carried out at the production facilities and markets, the agency announced on Monday.
Ethylene oxide is a colourless, highly reactive, and flammable gas widely used as an intermediate in the production of various chemicals, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Human exposure occurs mainly through inhalation in sterilisation facilities and in production plants. Exposure may also occur through fumigated foods, pharmaceutical products, and sterilised medical equipment.
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“The compound of interest is ethylene oxide, so the food lab services directorate director has been engaged. He is working on the methodology for the analysis,” a statement by the agency read.
“It should be noted that Indomie noodles have been banned from being imported into the country for many years. It is one of the foods on the government prohibition list. It is not allowed in Nigeria, and therefore not registered by NAFDAC.”
The agency added that the move aims to ensure that the product is not smuggled and that its post-marketing surveillance is able to detect it when smuggled.
“We also want to be sure that the spices used for the Indomie and other noodles in Nigeria are tested. That is what NAFDAC Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) and Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) are doing this week at the production facilities and in the market.”
