Taiwan sends back Vietnamese noodles for containing banned substance

The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration has determined that the batch of noodles, imported by Chinese company Qianyu, contains 0.195 milligrams of ethylene oxide per kilogram, which exceeds Taiwan’s standards.

The batch contains 600 boxes of 30 servings.

A pack of Omachi noodles is sold in Taiwan. Photo by CNA

Ethylene oxide is banned in food in Taiwan as authorities consider it a carcinogen as long exposure to it could increase the risks of cancer and some neurological diseases.

Masan Consumer, the producer of the noodles, said that it did not sell the noodles to Qianyu, even though it does produce noodles for the Taiwan market.

Each country and territory has its own food standard and therefore Masan Consumer produces products specifically for each country and territory.

"We have strict terms with distributors to prevent them from exporting products from one market to another."

Masan Consumer affirms that the Omachi noodles meet Vietnam’s food standards and are safe for consumers.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade is looking into the issue.

Last August, several batches of instant noodle products by Vietnamese businesses were also recalled by the E.U. for heightened levels of ethylene oxide.

In July this year, Germany has issued warnings about certain imported Vietnamese instant noodle products that contain heightened levels of ethylene oxide.