LAGOS, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has declared that noodles manufactured in Nigeria are safe for consumption.
This follows an investigation by the agency into the presence of ethylene oxide or its metabolite in noodles and their seasonings.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, disclosed this information during a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
She affirmed that no traces of ethylene oxide or its derivative were found in any of the instant noodles produced in Nigeria, including their seasonings.
Additionally, she announced that the levels of mycotoxin and heavy metals were within internationally accepted limits.
“Therefore, the noodles made in Nigeria are very safe to eat,” Prof. Adeyeye stated.
She further explained the meticulous process of the investigation. Samples of chicken-flavored instant noodles from various brands, along with their seasonings, were collected from production facilities across the country.
This step was taken to ensure the comprehensiveness of the investigation, which included brands other than Indomie, which was initially implicated.
Moreover, NAFDAC’s Post Marketing Surveillance Division visited markets and retail outlets in major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, to collect additional samples for laboratory analysis.
The market visits also served as a surveillance measure to check for the presence of special chicken noodles from Taiwan and Malaysia in the Nigerian market.
The samples, totaling 114, were properly packaged and delivered to NAFDAC’s Central Laboratory in Oshodi, Lagos, for analysis.
The analytical processes were conducted in accordance with international standards and methods.
NAFDAC reassured the public of its dedication and proactivity in safeguarding public health.
The agency remains committed to ensuring that food and drug products in Nigeria are safe for consumption and meet necessary quality standards.
