Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has revealed that ‘Indomie Special Chicken Flavor’ has not been licensed for sale in Nigeria by the agency.
Adeyeye made the announcement while also stating that the agency has begun sampling and analyzing various Indomie noodles flavors, including seasonings, for the presence of cancer-causing ethylene oxide, which was purportedly detected by Taiwanese and Malaysian officials.
The NAFDAC DG promised Nigerians that the items would be thoroughly investigated at both the manufacturing and market levels.
The statement read;
“Indomie instant noodles products and other brands of noodles registered by NAFDAC for sale in the Nigerian market are manufactured in Nigeria and are only granted NAFDAC registration status following a strict regulatory regime covering all aspects of Good Manufacturing Practice.“The Management of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC is aware of the recall 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.“NAFDAC, as a responsible and responsive regulator, is taking swift actions to carry out random sampling and analysis of Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) for the presence of ethylene oxide, as well as extending the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.“We use this medium to assure the public that a thorough investigation of the products will be conducted both at the factory and market levels and our findings will be communicated.“The public is also hereby informed that the implicated Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ is not registered by NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria.”