Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire
MANILA – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a Filipino instant noodle brand which is reported to have a ‘high level of ethylene oxide’, a health official said Thursday.
This, after the governments of Ireland, France, and Malta have issued a warning against the consumption of the noodle brand because ethylene oxide is used for pesticides and is not authorized for use in food items sold in the European Union countries.
“Ito ay tinitingnan na ngayon ng Food and Drug Administration, ito pong type ng pagkain na ito na ating pinapa-hold muna because apparently, apparent pa lang po ito dahil this is under investigation, kailangan pa po natin ive-verify iyan base sa proseso na gagawin ng FDA (The Food and Drug Administration is looking into this, this type of food which is being put on hold, because apparently, apparent for now because this is under investigation, we need to verify based on the process made performed by the FDA ),“ Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media forum.
When asked if the noodle brand will be pulled out from the market, Vergeire said the FDA takes note of the specific batches and lot numbers of the contaminated food items during its investigation.
“So, kung ano man po ang matagpuan ng ating FDA na talagang with the presence of this specific component or chemical, ‘yun lang po ang tatanggalin sa merkado dahil iyon po ang mga apektado, ‘yun po ang binabantayan na hindi makonsumo ng ating mga kababayan (So, only the ones found with the presence of this specific component or chemical by the FDA will be removed the market and will be monitored not to be consumed by our fellowmen),” she said.
Consumption of high level of ethylene oxide could cause headache, vomiting and lose bowel movement, she noted.
“Maaari din po doon sa far side, or sa extreme po, magkakaroon ng difficulty in breathing, parang pagod na pagod, at iba pa (There could also be at the far side, or extreme [situation], there will be difficulty in breathing, feeling very tired, among others),” she added.
The DOH assured the public that surveillance and systems are in place for the detection and monitoring of products which could cause harm to people when consumed. (PNA)
