By Doris Obinna
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that imported noodles are not expected to be sold in Nigeria.
It said it’s agency does not register imported noodles as a result of the ban on import prohibition by the Nigerian government many years ago. It reiterated that the reason is to foster local production.
The agency declared that that there are no foreign noodles in the country and that Nigeria made noodles are safe for consumption.
NAFDAC had in the past few weeks investigated the alleged presence of ethylene oxide or it’s metabolite in instant noodles and their seasoning sold in Nigeria.
Speaking, Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the investigation into the presence of ethylene oxide or its metabolite in noodles was occasioned by the recalls of Indomie instant noodles special chicken flavour by the Ministries of Health in Malaysia and Taiwan on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide: a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.
She said: “As soon as I received the news of the product recalls in Malaysia and Taiwan, I immediately requested the Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to carry out investigation and random sampling of Indomie instant noodles and their seasonings from the production facilities and extend the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.
“Samples of chicken flavoured instant noodles of various brands (and the seasonings) were drawn from the production facilities across the country.
“We did not only analyze for ethylene oxide and its derivative 2-chloroethanol in the noodles and seasonings; we also analyzed for other contaminants such as mycotoxins and heavy metals in the samples.”
According to her, a total of one hundred and fourteen (114) samples of instant noodles and their seasonings were received in 56 markets spread across Lagos, Abuja, Kano from 58 factories.
“Our findings showed that ethylene oxide or its derivative was not found in any of the instant noodles produced in Nigeria and their seasonings.
“The level of mycotoxin and the heavy metals were within the internationally acceptable limit.
“Therefore, the noodles made in Nigeria are very safe to eat,” Adeyeye stated.