Indonesia's Indomie under scrutiny over fears of carcinogens in instant noodles

INDONESIA'S Indomie, one of the world's biggest instant noodle brands, is under scrutiny in Taiwan and Malaysia over concerns that its "special chicken" flavour may have a carcinogenic ingredient called ethylene oxide.

Taiwan recalled the product on Monday, citing traces of the compound, which can increase cancer risks.

Malaysia also instructed for checks on the same noodle product at all entry points and requested that Indofood CBP, the producer of Indomie to recall it.

Kurniasih Mufidayati, a senior lawmaker the parliamentary commission that oversees health, called on Indonesia's Food and Drugs Supervisory Body (BPOM) to test samples of Indomie and ensure that the product in Taiwan was not the same as that circulating in Indonesia.

She was quoted by Reuters as saying, "Give a sense of safety to consumers, by testing regularly and announcing the results to the public".

Meanwhile, Indonesia's National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) urged BPOM to verify the product's ingredients and recall it if it does not meet safety standards.

Indofood CBP has more than 20 production facilities worldwide and its noodles are available in over 100 countries.

An Indonesian trade ministry official, Budi Santoso, assured the public that Indomie in Indonesia was safe to consume, saying that Taiwan's regulations "are very sensitive, different with us."