The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has given more insight into the ban on Indomie instant noodles, explaining that the default flavour of the brand, ‘Special chicken flavour’, was not registered by the agency for sale in Nigeria.
In a statement on Tuesday, which she signed, Adeyeye said that NAFDAC has commenced random sampling and analysis of Indomie noodles, including the seasoning, for the presence of ethylene oxide. She assured Nigerians of a thorough investigation of the product, both at the factory and market levels.
She said: “The public is also hereby informed that the implicated Indomie instant noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ is not registered by NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria. It is important to mention that noodles are on the Import Prohibition List of the Federal Government of Nigeria and is therefore not permitted for importation to Nigeria”.
The statement reads: “The Management of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is aware of the recalls of Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ by the Ministries of Health in Malaysia and Taiwan on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.
“NAFDAC, as a responsible and responsive regulator, is taking swift actions to carry out random sampling and analysis of Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) for the presence of ethylene oxide, as well as extending the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians. We use this medium to assure the public that thorough investigation of the products will be conducted both at the factory and market levels and our findings will be communicated.
“The public is also hereby informed that the implicated Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ is not registered by NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria. It is important to mention that noodles are on the Import Prohibition List of the Federal Government of Nigeria and is therefore not permitted for importation to Nigeria.
“Further, the Indomie instant noodles products (and other brands of noodles) registered by NAFDAC for sale in the Nigerian market are manufactured in Nigeria and are only granted NAFDAC registration status following a strict regulatory regime covering all aspects of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). The Ports Inspection Directorate (PID) is also on heightened alert to guard against importation of the implicated product into Nigeria.
“NAFDAC wishes to re-assure the public that the Agency is proactive and remains alive to her responsibilities of safeguarding the health of the public”.
