More EU Countries Recall Acecook Instant Noodles

Investigations are being carried out regarding Acecook Vietnam company's instant noodles. The product has been recalled by several European countries.

August 30, 2021 | 17:38

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More EU Countries Recall Acecook Instant Noodles

Hao Hao instant noodle (Photo: Vietnamnet)

After information related to Ireland's recall of two instant noodle products of Acecook Vietnam for containing ethylene oxide got attention in the past few days, many other European countries issued warnings or bans on the products.

Ireland's recall (Photo: Food Safety Authority of Ireland)

SPS Office under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is the representative of Vietnam working with WTO members about sanitary and phytosanitary contents, said that the product named “Hao Hao Sour-Hot Shrimp Flavour” and "Good Spare Ribs Flavour" was recalled by many EU countries, including Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, all for the same reason. Based on that situation, the office asks authorities and Acecook Vietnam to work on a solution to ensure customers' health and the credibility of Vietnam's export goods.

Malta's announcement (Photo: European Council)

Even before Ireland's announcement, Malta published a notice that the product 'must not be consumed since it potentially contaminated with ethylene oxide' on Aug. 19.

In a press release on Aug. 28, Acecook Vietnam's General Director Kajiwara Junichi said that the issue happened to products for the European market only.

"The two mentioned products are for export to European market only, not for selling in the domestic market. We hereby commit that all products circulating in the Vietnamese market comply with Vietnamese regulations and laws, ensuring safety for consumers' health," Acecook representative said.

Acecook Vietnam said it absolutely complied with the regulations of Vietnam, Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand about not using ethylene oxide in any stage of raw material preservation, production, or storage technology. The company said it was examining the production line and working with material suppliers to ensure product quality.

However, during the event, the company referred only to Ireland's recall, while not mentioning bans and warnings issued by other European nations, which raises the question of credibility. Investigations are under way to find out the truth.

Ministry of Industry and Trade asks Acecook to verify the issue

The Department of Science and Technology under Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade required Acecook Vietnam to urgently verify information related to its Hao Hao and Good instant noodles on August 28.

As it acknowledged the recall, the Ministry of Industry and Trade asked Acecook Vietnam to urgently report on the production process and the difference between domestic and export products and directed agencies to coordinate in reviewing all products distributed by Acecook Vietnam in the domestic market to clarify the production process and identify violations, if any, to protect consumers.

What is ethylene oxide?

Ethylene oxide (also known as oxiran and epoxide) is an organic compound commonly found as a colorless and highly flammable gas.

In Europe, ethylene oxide is classified as a pesticide substance, banned from being used in food because it can affect health if used for a long time.

'Although the consumption of the contaminated product does not pose an acute risk to health, there may be health issues if there is the continued consumption of ethylene oxide over a long period of time. Therefore, exposure to this substance needs to be minimized,' said the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in its recall announcement of Acecook's instant noodles.