TWO instant noodles which were said to contain carcinogens, previously ordered to be recalled voluntarily by the companies, is safe to be consumed, the Ministry of Health said today. 

Health Director-General Dr Radzi Abu Hassan said that Penang Ah Lai White Curry Noodles and Indomie Special Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles are safe to eat after undergoing laboratory analysis. 

“The analysis found that the products complied with prescribed legislation and is safe to eat,” he said in a statement today.

Previously, the Health Ministry ordered the two instant noodle products be withdrawn from the market following allegations of the presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with lymphoma and leukaemia, by the Taipei’s Health Department. 

Dr Radzi said, the Ministry had implemented six levels of inspection for imported food products.

According to him, food products entering the country will be detained and analysed first under its Hold, Test and Release (TUL) procedure. 

“Only food products that comply with these standards are released to the Malaysian market.

“For the period from 2022 to April 2023, a total of 317 samplings for TUL were carried out and of that number, 37 (11.67%) were TUL samplings on various brands of instant noodle products for ethylene oxide parameters,” he said.

For products that are found not to be complying with the requirements, Dr Radzi said the Ministry will work with the company involved to ensure that all its products are withdrawn from the market.

He further explained that the Health Ministry wants to ensure that products in the local market go through the prescribed procedures and are safe to consume. – May 9, 2023.