The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has lauded the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for the prompt intervention on the imported Indomie ‘special chicken flavour’ noodles.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, NICRAT, Prof. Usman Aliyu in Abuja.
Aliyu’s statement followed ongoing investigations and analysis by NAFDAC in respect of Indomie Instant Noodles in Nigeria.
It was previously reported that the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that the importation of Indomie noodles is banned in Nigeria.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye made this known in a statement on Monday, saying the product is one of the foods on the government prohibition list.
She said the noodles are not allowed in the country, and therefore not registered by the agency, adding that NAFDAC only approved circulation of indomie noodles produced in Nigeria and not imported.
However, Aliyu has disclosed that the institute will be collaborating with NAFDAC to ensure the safety of Nigerians.
“NICRAT is deeply worried that, if found that some brands of Indomie noodles contain ethylene oxide, then, Nigerians should expect an escalation of various forms of cancers in the months or years ahead, depending on how long people have consumed that brand.
“More worrisome, is that Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children because Indomie noddles is a popular food among most Nigerian children.
“Our in-depth review of ethylene oxide indicates that it is a highly reactive chemical that is used as a raw material to make other compounds such as glycol ethers and polyglycerol ethers, as well as a range of emulsifiers, detergents, and solvents.
“Ethylene oxide is also widely used as a fumigant for cleaning culinary goods, including spices,” he stated.
He noted with concern the fact that cancer has claimed a lot of lives in Nigeria.
According to him, in 2020 alone, he said 78,000 Nigerians died as a result of cancer-related complications (34,200 males and 44,699 females).
He, therefore, advised Nigerians to obey NAFDAC’s instructions on the ban and consumption of Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.
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