Approximately 1,000 boxes of Korea's 'Shin Ramyun' imported to Taiwan were reported to have been returned or discarded after pesticide residues were detected.
According to local Taiwanese media such as 'Liberty Times' on the 18th (local time), the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed 10 imported food products that failed customs inspections the previous day (17th). Among the failed products was 'Shin Ramyun Black Tofu Kimchi Bowl.'
The FDA explained that during the pesticide residue test on this product, 0.075 mg/kg of ethylene oxide (EO), a carcinogen, was detected in the soup, which did not meet the pesticide residue limits under Article 15 of Taiwan's Food Safety and Hygiene Management Act.
Accordingly, about 1,000 boxes of the Shin Ramyun, approximately 1,128 kg, were either fully returned or discarded.
A ramen product detected with 'ethylene oxide' (EO), known as one of the human carcinogens, in the residual pesticide test. / Photo by Yonhap News
EO is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the World Health Organization (WHO), as a substance confirmed to be carcinogenic to humans. It is also one of the substances listed as a 'known human carcinogen' with a 'K rating' under the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act.
EO is mostly used industrially for sterilization purposes.
Meanwhile, according to the FDA Northern District Management Center, from last year to recently, EO was detected in a total of 32 instant noodle products during Taiwan's import food customs inspections: 3 from Korea, 7 from Japan, 13 from Indonesia, 2 from the Philippines, and 7 from Vietnam.
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