KUCHING, Oct 8: There is no record that Mi Sedaap instant noodles allegedly found to contain ethylene oxide – a pesticide – with expiry dates of between March 17 and May 21, 2023 have been imported into the country.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Ministry of Health had taken note of the two batches of Mi Sedaap Korean Spicy Chicken instant noodles with expiry date of May 21, 2023 and Mi Sedaap Korean Spicy Soup instant noodles with expiry date of March 17, 2032, which were allegedly contaminated with ethylene oxide.
“The Ministry’s check on the Food Safety Information System of Malaysia (FoSIM) confirmed that the Mi Sedaap Korean Spicy Soup instant noodles were imported into the country.
“However, there are no records on the entry of the product with the said expiry dates,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Dr Noor Hisham said ethylene oxide is a pesticide that is prohibited in food products under the Food Regulations 1985.
He added that it was a carcinogenic chemical gas mixture often used for fumigation to exterminate pests such as insects.
“The ministry will continue to monitor the situation and enforce the test and approval of food products at all entry points of the country to safeguard public health,” he gave assurance.
For information or reporting suspected products, consumers can contact the nearest District Health Office, or channel the information to http://moh.spab.gov.my or Food Safety and Quality Division’s Facebook at www.facebook.com/bkkmhq.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) had on Thursday found the presence of ethylene oxide in the Mi Sedaap Korean Spicy Chicken and Korean Spicy Soup instant noodles.
Both the affected products, Korean Spicy Chicken with expiry date of May 1, 2023 and Korean Spicy Soup with expiry date of March 17, 2023, were being recalled in Singapore.
It said following the detection of ethylene oxide in Haagen-Daz ice cream in August, the SFA had decided to test more food products, including instant noodles, for the presence of ethylene oxide. — DayakDaily
