Here’s Why NAFDAC is banning the consumption of Indomie noodles in Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced an investigation into the news of recalled Indomie noodles by Taiwan and Malaysia authorities.

The agency’s Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate will on Tuesday randomly sample Indomie noodles including the seasoning from the production facilities while Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate samples from the markets.

Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this while reacting to the report of recalled Indomie noodles by Taiwan and Malaysia authorities.

Adeyeye stated that the Indomie noodles have been banned from being imported into the country for many years adding that it is one of the foods on the government prohibition list.

“It is not allowed in Nigeria, and therefore not registered by NAFDAC. The compound of interest is ethylene oxide, so the Director, Food Lab Services Directorate has been engaged. He is working on the methodology for the analysis,” Adeyeye said.

“What we are doing is an extra caution to ensure that the product is not smuggled in, and if so, our post-marketing surveillance would detect it. We also want to be sure that the spices used for the Indomie and other noodles in Nigeria are tested. 

“That is what NAFDAC Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) and Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) are doing this week at the production facilities and in the market, respectively. The public will be duly updated with the outcomes of the investigation.”