The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it is alive to its responsibility of safeguarding the public’s health despite its recent caution on Indomie Noodles.
NAFDAC director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the assurance in a statement on Tuesday by the agencyOlusayo Akintola.
The assurance came after hearing that Malaysian and Taiwanese authorities had recalled Indomie instant noodles in response to reports that they contained ethylene oxide, a substance linked to an increased risk of developing cancer.
According to Mr. Adeyeye, NAFDAC is acting quickly in its capacity as a responsible and responsive regulatory body to conduct random sampling and analysis of Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) for the presence of ethylene oxide.
She stated that in order to determine whether such carcinogenic compounds are present, the investigation would be expanded to include other brands of instant noodles sold in the Nigerian market.
“We use this medium to assure the public that a thorough investigation of the products will be conducted both at the factory and market levels and our findings will be communicated. The public is also hereby informed that the implicated Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ is not registered by NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria,†the NAFDAC statement said.
It added, “It is important to mention that noodles are on the Import Prohibition List of the Federal Government of Nigeria and are therefore not permitted for importation to Nigeria. Further, the Indomie instant noodles products (and other brands of noodles) registered by NAFDAC for sale in the Nigerian market are manufactured in Nigeria and are only granted NAFDAC registration status.â€
It mentioned that a strict regulatory regime covering all aspects of “Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) are placed on all these products†that is manufactured in Nigeria
The ports inspection directorate "is also on heightened alert to guard" against bringing the incriminated product into Nigeria, according to NAFDAC.