The governments of Ireland, France, and Malta have issued a warning against the consumption of a well-known Filipino instant noodles brand for the alleged presence of high levels of ethylene oxide.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, in a statement, said the ethylene oxide used for pesticides is not authorized for use in foods sold in the European Union (EU) countries.
“Although the consumption of the contaminated product does not pose an acute risk to health, there may be health issues if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide over a long period of time,” it said.
“Therefore, exposure to this substance needs to be minimised. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batch,” it added.
In a separate statement, the Department of Information of Malta said: “In accordance with the Food Safety Act and Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health wishes to inform the public that following information received through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed said products must not be consumed due to high levels of Ethylene oxide (a pesticide).”
Meanwhile, the company of Lucky Me! brand denied on Thursday, July 7, that its instant noodle products contain ethylene oxide.
"We would like to clarify that Ethylene Oxide is not added in Lucky Me! products. It is a commonly used treatment in spices and seeds to control microbial growth typical in agricultural products. These materials, when processed into seasoning and sauces, may still show traces of Ethylene Oxide," the company said in a statement.