Indomie Saga: Cancer Research Institute Applauds NAFDAC for Prompt Response
The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has applauded the National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for its prompt response in launching a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the truth behind the alleged presence of ethylyne oxide in Indomie Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.
It would be recalled that two days ago, NAFDAC announced the ban on imported Indomie Noodles because of the alleged presence of cancer-causing agents- ethylyne oxide.
In a statement in Abuja, the Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami, vowed to continue to work closely with NAFDAC to protect the health of Nigerians, especially, from cancer causing agents.
He, therefore, advised Nigerians to obey the instruction of the NAFDAC on the ban on importation and consumption of Indomie Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.
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Prof. Malami expressed fear if the ethylyne oxide is discovered in Indomie Noodles, then Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children “because Indomie noodles is a popular food among most Nigerian children.
“NICRAT’s concern is premised on the fact that, cancer has claimed a lot of lives in Nigeria. In 2020 alone, 78,000 Nigerians died as a result of cancer related complications (34,200 males and 44,699 fameless).”
NICRAT, however, assured Nigerians of its commitment to take cancer prevention, research and treatment to the next level by ensuring that Nigerians are safe from all forms of cancers.
While expressing concern over the alleged presence of a carcinogenic compound (Ethylyne Oxide) in Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’, the Director General, said: “NICRAT’s review of Ethylyne Oxide shows that the compound has grave consequences to human health, especially, when consumed.
“Our in-dept review of Ethylyne Oxide indicated that it is a highly reactive chemical that is used as a raw material to make other compounds such as glycol ethers and polyglycol ethers, as well as a range of emulsifiers, detergents, and solvents.
“Ethylene oxide is also widely used as a fumigant for cleaning culinary goods, including spices. It is also frequently used to disinfect medical equipment, particularly those that might be harmed by heat sterilisation.
“Our review, therefore, revealed that there is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of ethylene oxide, and there is strong evidence that the carcinogenicity of ethylene oxide, a direct-acting alkylating agent, operates by a genotoxic mechanism.“
