BFAD in Eastern Visayas takes step to recall Korean noodles from the local market

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 2, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Bureau of Foods and Drugs of the Department of Health in Eastern Visayas has recently stated the conduct and inspections of groceries and malls in Tacloban City in order to monitor and recall Korean noodles contaminated with Benzopyrene from the local market.

Mr. Francis Germano of BFAD 8 said that BFAD OIC Baby Castillote and Ms. Delia Pestano went on an inspection mission on October 31, in compliance with the Philippine government’s product recall to six Korean Noodles products found by the Korean FDA to contain Benzopyrene, a chemical with carcinogenic potential.

The list of identified noodle products are: Nongshim Neoguri (Hot) with expiration dates for final products of 12.10.11 and 12.11.11; Nongshim Neoguri (Hot) Multi. Expiration dates: 12.10.11 and 12.11.11; Nongshim Neoguri (Mild). Expiration Dates: 12.10.28 and 12.11.17; Nongshim Big Bowl Noodle Shrimp. Expiration Dates: 12.11.4, 12.11.29, 13.1.10, and 13.1.30; Nongshim Saengsaeng Udon Bowl Noodle. Expiration Dates: 12.9.30 and 12.10.22; and Nongshim Saengsaeng Udon with Expiration Dates: 12.8.28 and 12.10.8.

These Korean noodles were recalled by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) on October 25, 2012.

Meanwhile, FDA has conducted tests to ensure if the noodles or ramen, identified to be manufactured by Nong Shim Co. Ltd., are really contaminated with the said compound. This was after the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) ordered pullout of these products from their market shelves due to contamination of benzopyrene.

After several tests which proved that the noodles were contaminated with the cancer-causing compound, the FDA orders immediate recall of these products from Philippine market.

The BFAD called on the public to refrain from buying the products and to report to the BFAD if these brands are still in the market. For those who have bought the products, they are advised to dispose of them as they are not fit for consumption.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children’s Health (TEACH), benzopyrene is “a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that is a byproduct of incomplete combustion or burning of organic items, e.g., cigarettes, gasoline, and wood, and is commonly found with other PAHs in cigarette smoke, in grilled and broiled foods, and as a by-product of many industrial processes.”