Ban on 6 S. Korea noodle brands stays pending tests—DOH

MANILA, Philippines—The importation ban on six South Korean noodle products will remain in place until government tests show that they are safe for public consumption, Department of Health (DOH) officials said Wednesday.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the DOH was conducting tests on samples of the six affected noodle brands—NongshimNeoguri Mild, Nong Shim Big Bowl Noodle Shrimp, Nong Shim SaengSaengUdon Bowl Noodles, Nong Shim SaengSaenUdon, Nong Shim Neoguri Hot and Nong Shim Neoguri Hot Multi.

The government earlier banned the sale of these products after they were found to contain benzopyrene, a know carcinogen.

“We are still examining the samples and we will wait for the results about their (benzopyrene) levels before we decide what actions to take,” Ona said in a press conference.

“A temporary ban on the importation of the affected brands has been issued until such time that lab tests have proven that the levels are within acceptable limits and safe for consumption,” he added.

Ona said South Korean authorities have assured the DOH that they would also ensure the safety of future stocks of these noodles.

Kenneth Hartigan-Go, Food and Drug Administration director, said the government had recalled 13 boxes and 124 pieces of the six noodle brands.

“We call on the public to report if they see these brands still being sold in store. The levels of (benzopyrene) will have a bearing on the lifting of the ban,” Hartigan-Go aid.

“The DOH is in coordination with the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Trade and Industry on the matter and the matter will be resolved soon,” he added.

The DOH said that the source of the benzopyrene was dried bonito powder. Based on the lab analysis made by South Korean authorities, the levels found in the six brands ranged from 0.4 to 1.6 ppb, “and almost no harmful effects on the human body.”

“But as a precautionary measure, the recall of the products was done,” the DOH said in a statement.

“If (it’s) necessary to compare, smoking ten cigarette sticks is equivalent to eating 60 bowls of the affected Korean noodle products,” it added.