Status for Instant Noodle Products Detected Containing Ethylene Oxide

By: Rosli Mansor

The Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) has informed the latest developments regarding the issue of instant noodle products that have been detected to contain ethylene oxide (which can be carcinogenic).

Director General of Health Malaysia, Datuk Dr. Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan in a media statement today said that based on the laboratory analysis that has been carried out on samples of Penang Ah Lai White Curry Noodles and Indomie Special Chicken Flavor Instant Noodles, the Ministry of Health confirmed that the products comply with the prescribed legislation and are safe to eat.

‘For imported food, the Ministry of Health implements six (6) levels of inspection at the entrance based on risk. For Level 5 inspection which is Hold, Test and Release (TUL), food products entering the country will be held and analysed first.

“Only food products that comply with the standard are released for the Malaysian market.

“For the period from 2022 to April 2023, a total of 317 samplings for TUL have been carried out and of that number, 37 (11.67%) are TUL sampling on various brands of instant noodle products for the ethylene oxide parameter,” he said.

He added that for any product found not to comply with the regulations set, the Ministry of Health works with the companies involved to ensure that all the products involved are withdrawn from the market.

“KKM insists that the products in the local market have gone through the prescribed procedures and are safe. The Ministry of Health is always aware and concerned about things that may threaten the health of consumers.

“For any information regarding this issue, users can contact the nearest District Health Office channel through the website http://moh.spab.gov.my or the Facebook page of the Food Safety and Quality Division (BKKM) www.facebook.com/bkkmhg ,” he said.