Declare health emergency on ‘Indomie Noodles’ cancer scare
The issue of Indomie noodles has saturated the public space, but this is for the wrong reason: Cancer fear. A particular flavour of Indomie noodles, specifically ‘Special Chicken Flavour,’ was recalled in Malaysia and Taiwan because of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with increased cancer risk.
On the heels of the abnormal development, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), swung into action by banning and prohibiting Nigeria’s ‘Indomie Super Chicken’ flavour.
Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency had commenced sampling and analysis of other indomie noodles flavours, including their seasonings for the presence of ethylene oxide.
She reiterated that noodles are on the import prohibition lists of the Federal Government of Nigeria and are, therefore, not permitted for importation to Nigeria.
“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 following a strict regulatory regime covering all aspects of Good Manufacturing Practice.
“We use this medium to assure the public that a thorough investigation of the products will be conducted at the factory and market levels, and our findings will be communicated.
“The public is also informed that NAFDAC does not register the implicated Indomie Instant Noodles’ Special Chicken Flavour’ for sale in Nigeria.”
Despite the efforts by the regulatory agency, there is a need for the Federal Government to call for an emergency in the industry. The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), said the Nigerian government should be weary because cancer cases are escalating in the Country.
NICRAT Director General, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, on Wednesday beat the drum of warning to the Federal Government, stakeholders and Nigerians.
Aliyu said, “Nigerians should expect an escalation of various forms of cancers in the months or years ahead,” depending on how long people have consumed the affected product.
Putting face into the already damage of cancer in Africa’s most populated country, the Pink Blue Project said Cancer results in over 72,000 deaths per annum (30924 for males and 40 647 for females). The number is projected to increase given that there are 102,000 new cancer cases every year.
Nigerian NewsDirect notes in this editorial that NAFDAC, Federal Ministry of Health, indeed all stakeholders must work toward averting possible emergencies.
The agencies responsible for food regulation, Nigeria Customs and others, should step up their statutory role by being vigilant and stopping importing any form of noodles into the Country.
Nigeria cannot withstand a cancer pandemic coupled with a poverty pandemic facing more than half its population.
Declaring an emergency on the matter is as important as the lives of every Nigerian; the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, must lead its Ministry to arrest cancer escalation in Nigeria.
