China recalls Nongshim instant noodles

2012-10-1000 08:45:37 GMT2012-10-1000 16:45:37(Beijing Time)  SINA.com

By Mei Jingya, Sina English

China has ordered a recall of S.Korean Nongshim CO.’s instant noodles and asked importers to carry out the decision, Li Yuanping, spokesman for China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, said on Tuesday.

Li said as soon as reports surfaced that those products used materials containing cancer-causing benzopyrene, Chinese authorities expressed great concern and contacted relevant departments in S.Korea immediately, demanding the Korean side to further clarify the problem.

Nongshim: Noodles contain a permissible level of benzopyrene

In an attempt to ease fears over safety of its products, South Korea's instant noodle maker Nongshim Co. said Tuesday its Chinese-made noodles contain a permissible level of benzopyrene, a cancer-causing material, Yonhap reported.

A test showed 16 instant noodle products made in China contain lower benzopyrene levels than the limit permitted by the Chinese government, Nongshim's Shanghai subsidiary said.

Timeline:

S Korea's largest instant noodle brand found containing carcinogen

South Korea's health authorities said Thursday they have decided to order a recall of Nongshim Co.'s instant noodle products found to contain a carcinogen amid growing concerns about public health.

The recall could affect six "ramyeon" brands by Nongshim, the country largest instant noodle maker, including Neoguri, bowl-type Neoguri and Sang Sang Noodle, which were found to contain benzopyrene.

The move comes days after reports surfaced that those products used materials that contained benzopyrene, which can cause health hazards when ingested.

It is known to cause stomach and lung cancer or birth defects if consumed for a long period.

According to tests by the KFDA last June, some of the products were found to contain as high as 4.7 parts per billion (ppb) in their soup.

The KFDA earlier said the amount of benzopyrene contained in the products was minuscule and would not cause health problems. Nongshim also said its products were safe to consume and that it already destroyed all the raw materials in question.

Nongshim controls the vast majority of South Korea's instant noodle market, with a market share of 68.1 percent last year.

Scandal-hit S.Korean noodles pulled off shelves in Beijing

Beijing’s market watchdog on Friday ordered Nongshim's products off shelves after media reports claimed the company’s instant noodles made in South Korea were found to contain carcinogenic substances.

Shanghai's market watchdog yesterday also ordered local supermarkets to check inspection certificates of imported food they sell. It did not order suspension of sales, though.

South Korea's health authorities said Thursday they have decided to order a recall of Nongshim Co.'s instant noodle products found to contain a carcinogen amid growing concerns about public health.

The recall could affect six "ramyeon" brands by Nongshim, the country largest instant noodle maker, including Neoguri, bowl-type Neoguri and Sang Sang Noodle, which were found to contain benzopyrene.

The move comes days after reports surfaced that those products used materials that contained benzopyrene, which can cause health hazards when ingested.

China's quality watchdog urges importers to recall Nongshim noodles

China's consumer quality watchdog on Friday urged importers to recall certain kinds of instant noodles produced by Nongshim, the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s largest instant noodle maker, as some of the noodles have been found to contain carcinogens.

The recall would affect six of the company's products, including Neoguri, bowl-type Neoguri and Sang Sang Noodles, which were found to contain benzopyrene, a compound that can cause lung cancer, according to an online statement from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

The decision came after the Korea Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday that it would recall the six varieties over health concerns.

"We have decided to issue a recall order for all of Nongshim's 'ramyeon' products that include materials that have been determined to be inappropriate," the Yonhap News Agency quoted an official from the Korea Food and Drug Administration as saying.

Following the news, AQSIQ urged importers to recall the problematic products and asked local quarantine authorities to step up checks over instant noodles imported from the ROK.