THE Health Ministry (MOH) has ordered two instant noodles companies to voluntarily recall products claimed to contain a carcinogen.

The two products reportedly containing ethylene oxide, a compound associated with lymphoma and leukaemia, are Ah Lai White Curry Noodles and Indonesia’s Indomie Special Chicken Flavour noodles.

Newly minted Health Director-General Dr Radzi Abu Hassan said although the production of Malaysian-made Ah Lai White Curry Noodles meets local compliance requirements, MOH has ordered its producer to recall batches of the product to ensure food safety.

“The MOH has instructed the manufacturer to voluntarily recall batches of said product that expire on August 25 from the local market,” Dr Radzi said in a statement today.

On Monday, it was reported Taipei’s Health Department had flagged the two noodle products as containing the carcinogen.

In a statement, the department said it found a batch of Ah Lai White Curry Noodles from Malaysia and a batch of Indomie Special Chicken Flavour noodles from Indonesia to contain the carcinogen ethylene oxide.

The department said testing revealed ethylene oxide in both the noodles and seasoning packet of the Malaysian product, but in only the seasoning packet of the Indonesian product.

Dr Radzi also confirmed the Indonesian-made Indomie Special Chicken Flavour was imported into Malaysia.

MOH called on the producers to voluntarily recall the products from the local market, adding that tests will be conducted on new batches entering the country.

Dr Razdi said the ministry tested several brands of instant noodles and found ethylene oxide in 11 samples of Mi Sedaap produced in Indonesia.

Apart from lymphoma and leukaemia, ethylene oxide is linked to birth and genetic defects.

He said legal action was taken, compound notices were issued, and the products were recalled.

Fa E Fa Sdn Bhd, the Penang-based manufacturer that produces the local white curry noodles, said it is getting its product tested and expects results in a week.

A company spokesman said the batch of noodles tested by Taipei’s Health Department was from last year and that the batch has been depleted from local stock. – April 26, 2023.