Oman: Food Safety and Quality Centre Clarify Stance Regarding Imported Noodle Products
The Food Safety and Quality Centre issued a clarification regarding what was circulated on social media regarding the withdrawal of ‘Lai White Curry Noodles’ made in Malaysia and ‘Indomie: Special Chicken Flavour Noodle’ made in Indonesia in some countries due to the presence of a high percentage of ethylene oxide.
The centre said the aforementioned products were not imported into the Sultanate of Oman. Similar products are subject to conformity procedures according to approved standard specifications, during inspections at border crossings.
The centre directed the specialists in the outlets to reserve similar products and to examine them in a laboratory to ensure that they conform to the approved specifications before they reach the market.
The centre explained that ethylene oxide is a colourless and odourless chemical gas used as an insecticide to sterilize spices and as an active ingredient in detergents. The chemical is not allowed to be used on surfaces that come into contact with food, and international technical regulations specify the permissible percentages of it, such as residues in food.
