[The Crisis of K-Ramen] European Exports Halted... Consecutive Recalls and Sales Suspensions

Confusion Over Strict Harmful Substance Detection Standards
No Issues with Domestic Standards... Safe for Human Body

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The globally popular "K-Ramen" has hit a snag in the European market. The European Union (EU) applies stricter standards for harmful substance detection compared to domestic standards, leading to a series of recalls of exported products. Since the EU was considered a blue ocean for K-Ramen exports with high expectations, the domestic industry is feeling perplexed.

According to the French Consumer Recall Integrated Portal on the 28th, Ottogi's "Jin Ramen Spicy Flavor," sold throughout France from November 15 to December 24 last year, was subject to a recall. The reason was the excessive detection of 2-chloroethanol. The detected amount of 2-chloroethanol in this product was 2.8 ppm, far exceeding the EU standard of 0.05 ppm. Although the figure surpasses the EU standard, Ottogi explained that it is not particularly problematic when compared to domestic standards.

2-chloroethanol is a byproduct of the harmful substance ethylene oxide, but unlike ethylene oxide, it is not classified as a carcinogen and exists naturally. Ottogi stated, "In Korea, there is no standard for 2-chloroethanol because it is completely harmless to the human body," and explained, "The EU standards are excessively strict, which caused this issue."

Previously, ramen exported to the EU made by Nongshim and Paldo were also recalled for similar reasons. Nongshim's exported "Assorted Seafood Soup Noodles" showed 0.11 ppm. The domestic version of this product is known to have 2.2 ppm. Paldo's "Paldo Rabokki for the Americas" detected 12.1 ppm, while none was found in the domestic version.

At that time, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety investigated the products on-site and through sampling but judged that the detected substance posed no risk to human health. However, the EU proceeded with the recall of these products, and as a result, from the 6th of this month, Korean ramen and dietary supplements must obtain ethylene oxide inspection certificates before export. This measure was belatedly communicated to domestic companies, and export shipments already dispatched to Europe without inspection certificates faced the risk of total disposal. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety requested the EU to postpone the enforcement date for submitting inspection certificates, and the EU accepted, granting a grace period until the 17th of next month.