Gov’t to lift ban on Korean noodles

Korean ramen products that were recalled for containing the cancer-causing substance benzopyrene will be back on supermarket shelves soon. According to the Department of Health on Monday, it is coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Customs to immediately lift the temporary ban on six Korean noodle brands after it found out that the consumption of these products is not harmful to humans. The DOH said that through the Food and Drug Administration, it tested samples of the recalled noodles last week. "The test results have been reassuring, as benzopyrenes have been found below the limits of benzopyrenes set for the recall advisory. The results are all less than 5 ppb, far below the regulatory limit of 10 ppb," it said in a statement. The noodle products, made by Nong Shim Co. Ltd., include the Spicy Neoguri, Mild Neoguri, Neoguri Cup Noodles (small and large), Saewootang Cup Noodles and Seng Seng Udong.   The department also cited assurances from Korean officials, particularly from the Korea Food and Drug Administration, that these noodle products are safe, including the non-affected brands. But the DOH also cautioned consumers to always be extra careful when purchasing imported food products to ensure their safety.   "In the application of the principle of traceability, we also caution our public that when purchasing foreign goods, particularly food products, to look for the regulated English translation of product name, the supplier and expiry dates," it said. The Korean Embassy on Friday requested the government to immediately lift the ban on these products, citing the KFDA findings. It said based on the certificate issued by the KFDA, the Nong Shim Co. Ltd. is allowed to sell the six noodle brands that are now again available in the Korean market. — BM, GMA News