Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has clarified that the two instant noodles — Indomie: Special Chicken Flavour from Indonesia and Ah Lai White Curry Noodle from Malaysia — which were withdrawn in some countries over reports that the products contained ethylene oxide, are not available in Qatar as the said products are not imported into the country.
Ethylene oxide is a chemical gas used as an insecticide. It is also used as an active ingredient in detergents. It is not allowed to be used on surfaces that come into contact with food.
"With reference to what has been circulated regarding the withdrawal of some countries’ instant noodles, Ah Lai White Curry instant noodles originating from Malaysia, and Indomie’s Ayam Spesial (special chicken) originating from Indonesia, due to what was raised about the beyond permissible high levels of ethylene oxide in these products, the Ministry of Public Health clarifies that the aforementioned products were not imported to the State of Qatar," the MoPH said on its official Twitter account.
The Ministry added: "Similar products are subject to technical control procedures at the port of arrival, which include virtual inspection and laboratory analysis according to the level of risk specified in the electronic system (Wathiq)."
MoPH stated that it had taken additional precautionary measures in this regard, which included issuing a circular to the outlets that it is obligatory to attach an analysis certificate proving that any shipment of instant noodles is free of ethylene oxide, regardless of country of origin, and these procedures are valid until further notice from the Ministry of Public Health.
International regulations specify the permissible percentages of ethylene oxide only as residues in food much like other types of pesticides and other pollutants, according to the Ministry.
