“Imported noodles are not expected to be sold in Nigeria because NAFDAC does not register imported noodles as a result of the ban by the Nigerian government…”
NAFDAC, the national agency for food and drug administration and control, declared on Thursday that noodles made in the nation were free of ethylene oxide and its breakdown products.
At a media briefing held to deliver the findings of NAFDAC’s examination into whether noodles made in the nation contained ethylene oxide, Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye revealed this.
Mrs. Adeyeye claimed that the study was prompted by Malaysia and Taiwan’s recall of Indomie Instant Noodles Special Chicken Flavor due to the potential presence of ethylene oxide, a substance linked to an elevated risk of cancer.
She said: “At the time of my initial press release on the issue, I assured the public that a thorough investigation of the products would be conducted both at the factory and market levels and that our findings would be communicated.
“As soon as we received the news of the product recalls in Malaysia and Taiwan, immediately I requested the Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to carry out investigation and random sampling of Indomie instant noodles from the production facilities.
“And extend the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.
“Imported noodles are not expected to be sold in Nigeria because NAFDAC does not register imported noodles as a result of the ban by the Nigerian government many years ago to foster local production.
“Samples of chicken-flavored instant noodles of various brands and the seasonings were drawn from the production facilities across the country to ensure robust investigation.
“A total of one hundred and fourteen (114) samples of instant noodles and the seasonings were received, while samples were also collected from Lagos, Abuja and Kano.”
Mr. Adeyeye claims that research has revealed that neither ethylene oxide nor a derivative of it could be identified in any of the Nigerian-produced instant noodles or their seasonings.
Mrs Adeyeye said: “The compound of interest, ethylene oxide, is a colorless, odorless gas that is used to sterilize medical devices and has been implicated as a cancer-causing chemical.
“We did not only analyze for ethylene oxide and its derivative 2-chloroethanol in the noodles and seasonings, we also analyzed for other contaminants such as mycotoxins and heavy metals in the samples.”
The D-G clarified that the laboratory’s analytical activities were delayed accidentally and not on purpose.
She mentioned that the organization has placed orders for certified reference materials (standards), reagents, and chemicals to be imported from other countries.
She assured Nigerians that the organization will keep up its aggressive approach and dedication to fulfilling its duties of public health protection.
(NAN)
