Korean instant noodles contain carcinogens! The Ministry of Health sets limits on benzopyrene, proposing to align with the EU's 5 ppb limit.
Six types of instant noodles produced by Nongshim, the manufacturer of the well-known South Korean instant noodle brand "Shin Ramyun," were found to contain benzopyrene, a Group 1 carcinogen, in South Korea. Taiwan imported approximately 50,000 packs of two of these brands, but the lack of relevant safety standards in Taiwan has caused consumer panic. Kang Chao-chou, Director of the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health, emphasized today (25th) that Taiwan will expedite the establishment of domestic benzopyrene limits for food products, in accordance with the EU's requirement that benzopyrene levels in food not exceed 5 ppb.
According to South Korean media reports, six brands of instant noodles produced by Nongshim were found to contain benzopyrene, a Group 1 carcinogen recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Two of these brands had a combined import volume of 59 metric tons from January to October this year: approximately 31,256 packs of "Nongshim Delicious Seafood Udon Noodles" and approximately 18,696 packs of "Nongshim Spicy Seafood Udon Noodles".
Because Nongshim adjusted the ingredients of the problematic seasoning powder packets in June, and Taiwan currently lacks relevant safety standards, the Department of Health is not requiring a complete product recall. However, domestic retailers have already announced the recall to protect consumer safety.
Benzopyrene is a very common pollutant in the environment. Kang Zhaozhou pointed out that benzopyrene can also be produced in oils and fats through high-temperature processing, including fried, grilled, smoked, and baked foods. However, the Department of Health has been conducting background monitoring on oils and foods in Taiwan every year, and the values are all below 1 ppb (parts per billion), which is extremely small and not enough to harm human health.
Kang Chao-chou emphasized that the EU currently has a limit of 5 ppb for benzopyrene in food. The Department of Health will follow suit as soon as possible and set a domestic limit for benzopyrene. Before the standard is released, he said that the Department of Health can still require manufacturers to remove products with health concerns from the shelves based on the calculated daily safe intake.
Grilled food contains the most benzopyrene! Kang Zhaozhou also urged the public that it is okay to eat grilled food occasionally, but long-term consumption of grilled food will pose a cancer risk, especially the charred parts, which are the most toxic and should be removed or discarded, and never eaten.
Benzopyrene poses a significant carcinogenic risk. Studies indicate that inhalation may cause lung cancer, while ingestion may lead to liver cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and other cancers. Both the European Union and the World Health Organization have set upper limits of 5 ppb and 10 ppb for benzopyrene in smoked foods, respectively.
Sources: NOWNews (2012-10-25)
