- The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, has assured the public that noodles made in Nigeria are safe for consumption.
- This announcement comes after the recall of Indomie instant noodles in Taiwan and Malaysia due to the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound linked to an increased risk of cancer.
- NAFDAC conducted an investigation and collected 114 samples of instant noodles and their seasonings from production facilities and markets in Lagos, Kano, and Abuja.
- The results of the investigation revealed no evidence of ethylene oxide or its derivatives in the samples, and the levels of mycotoxin and heavy metals were within internationally acceptable limits.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in a press briefing by its Director-General Prof. Christianah Adeyeye has notified the public of the safety of noodles made in Nigeria. According to her, noodles made in Nigeria are safe for consumption.
Background to the story
The notice comes on the heels of recalls of Indomie instant noodles “Special Chicken flavour” by the Ministries of Health in Taiwan and Malaysia on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.
The NAFDAC D.G. noted that the agency swung into action immediately after receiving the report. According to her
- “As soon as we received the news of the product recalls in Malaysia and Taiwan, I immediately requested the Director, of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to carry out an investigation and random sampling of Indomie instant noodles (and the seasonings) from the production facilities and extend the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.
- This is even though imported noodles are not expected to be sold in Nigeria because NAFDAC does not register imported noodles as a result of the ban (import prohibition) by the Nigerian government many years ago to foster local production.”
Results of the investigation
She clarified that results from the agency’s investigation reveals that there was no evidence of ethylene oxide or any of its derivatives in the samples and the presence of Mycotoxin and the heavy metals were within the internationally acceptable limit.
Process of investigation
On the methodology of the investigation, the NAFDAC boss explained that 114 samples of instant noodles and their seasoning were collected from factories and markets in Lagos, Kano and Abuja.
In her words,
- “Samples of chicken-flavoured instant noodles of various brands and the seasonings were drawn from the production facilities across the country. This was to ensure that the investigation was robust, covering other instant noodles brands manufactured in Nigeria, besides Indomie, the implicated brand.”
- “The Post Marketing Surveillance Division also visited markets/retail outlets in the major cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Kano and drew samples of instant noodles for laboratory analysis.”
- “The samples drawn from production facilities and trade were properly packaged and delivered in good condition to our Central Laboratory, Oshodi, Lagos, where analytical activities commenced immediately by international standards and methods of analysis”
She further clarified that noodles made in Nigeria are safe for consumption.
God NAFDAC for this clarification
Everything is possible in this Nigeria, Noddles manufacturer most have gone to bribe NAFDAC to speak on their favour.