It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this special Press briefing organized by NAFDAC to present the outcome of our investigation into the presence of ethylene oxide or its metabolite in noodles and/or their seasonings. The investigation 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. At the time of my initial press release on the issue, I assured the public that thorough investigation of the products would be conducted both at the factory and market levels and that our findings would be communicated.
To provide some background, as soon as we 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 the seasonings) from the production facilities and extend the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians. This is despite the fact that imported noodles are not expected to be sold in Nigeria because NAFDAC does not register imported noodles as a result of the ban (import prohibition) by the Nigerian government many years ago to foster local production.
Samples of chicken flavoured instant noodles of various brands (and the seasonings) were drawn from the production facilities across the country. This was to ensure that the investigation was robust, covering other instant noodles brands manufactured in Nigeria, besides Indomie, the implicated brand.
The Post Marketing Surveillance Division also visited markets/retail outlets in the major cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Kano and drew samples of instant noodles for laboratory analysis. The market visits served as surveillance for the presence of the Taiwan and Malaysian special chicken noodles in the Nigerian market.
The samples drawn from production facilities and trade were properly packaged and delivered in good condition to our Central Laboratory, Oshodi, Lagos, where analytical activities commenced immediately in accordance with international standards and methods of analysis. The technique using Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry detector was deployed.
Sampling
A total of one hundred and fourteen (114) samples of instant noodles (and the seasonings) were received.
Factories 58
Markets
Lagos 24
Abuja 16
Kano 16
Analytical Activities
The compound of interest, ethylene oxide, is a colourless, odourless gas that is used to sterilize medical devices and has been implicated as a cancer-causing chemical.
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.
Findings
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.
Delay
The delay in the analytical activities in the laboratory was not deliberate. We had to place orders for the procurement and supply of certified reference materials (standards), reagents and chemicals from overseas. It took a little while for the required materials to arrive jn the country and be received in our laboratories. This delayed the release of the analytical report.
As stated in my first press release, NAFDAC re-assures the public that the Agency is proactive and committed to her responsibilities of protecting the health of the public.
NAFDAC………safeguarding the health of the Nation!!!
Director General
