NAFDAC ban: Cancer fear deepens as market women reject indomie products

…Importation of noodles remains banned in the country — Agency’s Dog

…Expect increase in cancer cases among children – NICRAT warns

By Sodiq Adelakun

There has been palpable fear among Nigerians, most especially market women following the allegations of a cancer-causing chemical found in Indomie noodles.

Recall that Health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan said they had detected ethylene oxide, a compound, in Indomie’s special chicken flavour noodles.

Ethylene oxide is a colourless, odourless gas that is used to sterilise medical equipment and plastics. It is said to be a cancer-causing chemical.

Malaysia and Taiwan have since recalled the Indomie special chicken flavour from shelves.

It was gathered that some market women in Nigeria have rejected the supply of indomie over fear of getting involve in the nemesis caused by the noodles.

In separate interview with our correspondent, one of the women in Sango garage market who pleaded anonymity said she has been afraid after the detection of cancer-causing chemical in indomie.

“Ever since I heard that cancer can be generated in indomie,  it is now a big problem to buy more to sell to the consumers because some of them have been lamenting without knowing the type that was mentioned.

“Though, I have nothing much against the brand but the fact is I am still scared to buy more because I remembered years ago when issues like that arise during the time of my mother.

“It was a big loss to her as at that time, some of our consumers are also like that, whenever a piece of degrading information about a product arose, they will never listen to something else again, till all issues are finally clarified.”

Also, one Mama Tope who sells provision lamented about the  detection and NAFDAC ban on imported indomie.

She reiterated that phobia for cancer or any hard-related disease runs in her family.

“It is no joke to continue buying  indomie after exhausting the one in my shop,  as this will unarguably play a fifty- fifty game in my part as many lives may be at stake.

“I heard it’s only on imported indomie, but others cannot be exempted too, they must be properly checked to maintain their patronage in market.”

A well-known seller of Noodles in Sayedoro market in Ilaro, Mr. Akeem Taiyeolu said the image of indomie as prominent product among other noodles has been affected in years ago.

He said most people have failed to recognise  the difference between the brand and others.

While reacting to questions from our correspondent, he said “Indomie has always been affected in the past. People will say it kills, it affect our health but  all this have been controversy for years before it was later settle.

“I can’t lie here, there has been a decline in indomie product as some people believe the first news without considering what follows the story.

“ I believe more news are still coming on board, thank God  there has been a ban of the imported indomies. I know soon, there will be a lasting solution to these impeccable problem.”

Meanwhile,  the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said it will commence investigations into all noodles produced in the country to ensure all ingredients used are safe for human consumption.

The agency’s Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, a professor, also said the importation of noodles remains banned in the country, noting that local manufacturers were duly accredited to produce locally to create job opportunities and improve the nation’s economy.

NAFDAC has made further clarifications on the controversies surrounding the discovery of cancer-causing substances in the chicken flavour of Indomie noodles by health authorities in Malaysia and Taiwan.

But, the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, NICRAT, has said Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children if the ongoing investigation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, proves that there is presence of  Ethylyne Oxide in Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.

NICRAT, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Usman Aliyu, said the review of ethylene oxide shows that the compound has grave consequences for human health, especially when consumed.

Mr Aliyu said Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children if such substance is found in locally manufactured products.

He said children are more at risk because noodles are mostly consumed by children in Nigeria.

Though the institute specifically spoke about Indomie noodles as a product in its statement, NAFDAC said its searchlight is being beamed on all noodles produced in the country and their sauces.

“Our in-depth review of ethylene oxide indicated that it is a highly reactive chemical that is used as a raw material to make other compounds such as glycol ethers and polyglycol ethers, as well as a range of emulsifiers, detergents, and solvents,’ he said.

“Ethylene oxide is also widely used as a fumigant for cleaning culinary goods, including spices. It is also frequently used to disinfect medical equipment, particularly those that might be harmed by heat sterilisation.”

He said the agency’s independent review shows that there is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of ethylene oxide, and there is strong evidence that the carcinogenicity of ethylene oxide, a direct-acting alkylating agent, operates by a genotoxic mechanism.

“NICRAT is deeply worried that, if found that some brands of Indomie noodles contain ethylene oxide, then, Nigerians should expect an escalation of various forms of cancers in the months or years ahead, depending on how long people have consumed that brand,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, NICRAT, has said Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children if the ongoing investigation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, proves that there is presence of  Ethylyne Oxide in Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.

NICRAT, created by an Act in 2017, is an agency with the mandate to prevent, conduct research and treat cancers in Nigeria.

Indofood is one of the largest manufacturers of instant noodles globally. It serves as a favourite snack for both children and adults due to its unique taste.

Nigeria is a major consumer of instant noodles, which are produced locally.

According to data from the World Instant Noodles Association (WINA), Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is currently among the largest consumers of instant noodles with 1.92 million servings as of May 2020.

The country also ranked 11th in the global demand for noodles ranking, with Indomie instant noodles being the most consumed brand in Nigeria.

In the reacting to the ban, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted reports making the rounds online that it has banned Indomie Instant Noodles assuring Nigerians of their safety while consuming the locally produced Indomie Instant Noodles. The regulatory body said on Monday through its Director-General, Prof Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye.

According to the DG, “NAFDAC did not ban Indomie Instant Noodles produced in Nigeria. NAFDAC has registered several local manufacturers and the Indomie noodles have been certified safe for consumption. The Taiwan and Malaysia noodles have nothing to do with our local producers.”

The statement offers assurance to consumers who have been exposed to a series of misleading publications that the product was banned by the regulator. The flood of local publications came up after the alleged detection of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing substance found in Indomie’s “special chicken” flavour in Taiwan, and Malaysia by health officials in both countries.

Speaking on the issue, the Group Corporate Communications and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Limited, Tope Ashiwaju, said, “We would like to assure our valued customers in Nigeria that all packs of Indomie Instant Noodles consumed in Nigeria are produced locally under strict international best manufacturing procedures with ISO certified standards.

“Our commitment to international good manufacturing processes is unwavering and the quality in every pack of instant noodles produced in all our factories in Nigeria is non-negotiable.

“We adhere strictly to the standard procedures set by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) in all our manufacturing processes. “We use only the finest ingredients, sourced from reputable suppliers, and our production facilities are regularly inspected and audited to ensure that they meet the highest standards,” he said.

The Indomie Instant Noodles consumed in Nigeria is produced locally by Dufil Prima Foods Limited and had produced Indomie Instant Noodle in Nigeria for almost three decades.