New Zealand Food Safety is working to assess any potential risks to Kiwis after overseas health officials recalled two types of noodles due to concerns over a possible carcinogenic ingredient.
On Monday, the Taipei city health department recalled a batch of Ah Lai's White Curry Noodles made in Malaysia and Indomie's 'Special Chicken' Flavour noodles from Indonesia after an inspection found traces of the carcinogen ethylene oxide, which can elevate cancer risks.
While not available to purchase at Foodstuff and Countdown stores, the specific flavour of the Indomie noodles in question can be bought at select grocers such as Ken's Mart Asian Supermarket and NavaFresh.
New Zealand Food Safety said it is aware of the recalls underway in Malaysia and Taiwan and is monitoring the situation.
"There is at present no evidence of an elevated food safety risk, however, New Zealand Food Safety is working to assess any potential risk," New Zealand Food Safety's deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle said in a statement to Newshub.
Ethylene oxide is a flammable, colourless gas with a slightly sweet odour that has been used as a fumigant pesticide to treat foodstuffs. Its use on foods is being phased out worldwide due to health concerns associated with residues that may remain on foods until they are consumed.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, evidence in humans indicates that exposure to ethylene oxide increases the risk of lymphoid cancer and for females, breast cancer.
However, Arbuckle said the effects associated with ethylene oxide exposure are highly unlikely outside of specialised workplaces that use the gas.
"The risk associated with ethylene oxide via food occurs through long-term exposure," he added.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand note safer alternatives, such as food irradiation or steam treatment, are increasingly being used to replace fumigation with ethylene oxide.
