NAFDAC, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, has officially declared that all noodles manufactured in Nigeria are safe for consumption, News About Nigeria reports.
This announcement comes after a thorough investigation conducted by NAFDAC in response to the recalls of Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ in Malaysia and Taiwan due to the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound linked to an increased cancer risk.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Christianah Adeyeye, held a press briefing in Lagos to disclose the findings of the investigation.
During the press briefing, she confidently affirmed that no traces of ethylene oxide or its derivative were detected in any of the instant noodles and seasonings manufactured within Nigeria.
Adeyeye assured the public that the levels of mycotoxin and heavy metals in the noodles were within acceptable international limits, emphasizing that noodles made in Nigeria are indeed safe to consume.
To ensure a comprehensive investigation, samples of chicken-flavored instant noodles and their seasonings were collected from various production facilities across the country.
The purpose was to analyze not only the Indomie brand but also other instant noodle brands manufactured in Nigeria.
Additionally, NAFDAC’s Post Marketing Surveillance Division visited retail outlets in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano to obtain samples for laboratory analysis.
These market visits aimed to detect the presence of the Taiwanese and Malaysian special chicken noodles in the Nigerian market.
The collected samples, both from production facilities and trade, were appropriately packaged and transported to NAFDAC’s Central Laboratory in Oshodi, Lagos.
The analytical process commenced promptly and followed international standards and methods. NAFDAC utilized Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry detector, a technique that enables the detection of ethylene oxide.
In total, 114 samples of instant noodles and their seasonings were received and examined.
According to Adeyeye, ethylene oxide is a colorless and odorless gas primarily used for sterilizing medical devices but has been associated with carcinogenic properties.
In addition to analyzing for ethylene oxide and its derivative 2-chloroethanol, the samples were also tested for other contaminants, including mycotoxins and heavy metals.
Regarding the delay in the analytical activities at the laboratory, Adeyeye clarified that it was not intentional.
NAFDAC had to place orders for certified reference materials, reagents, and chemicals from overseas to ensure accurate testing and analysis.
