MUSCUT – The Centre has clarified that the specified products were not imported into the country and that similar products are subject to conformity procedures, as per the approved standard specifications, during inspection and control at the border ports. The clarification reads as follows: ‘Food Safety and Quality Center would like to clarify what has been circulated on social media about the recall and withdrawal of instant curry-flavored vermicelli products ‘Lai White Curry Noodles’ by some countries. The country of origin is Malaysia, and the product is Indomie: Special Chicken Flavor noodle. The percentage of ethylene oxide is above the permissible limits.

‘The center has instructed specialists in the outlets to reserve similar products and to have them tested in the laboratory to ensure that they comply with the approved specifications before they reach the market.
‘Note that ethylene oxide is a colorless and odorless chemical gas that is used as an insecticide to sterilize spices and is also used as an active ingredient in detergents. It is not allowed to be used on surfaces that come into contact with food. International technical regulations specify the permissible percentages of it, such as residues in food.’