Erta Darwati, Jakarta – Indonesian instant noodle giant Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur (ICBP), the maker of Indomie, has issued a clarification after authorities in Taiwan banned sales of one of its noodle variants, citing excessive levels of ethylene oxide.
The product in question, Indomie Soto Banjar Limau Kulit, was found by Taiwanese regulators to contain residues of the pesticide-linked chemical above the country's safety threshold. Taiwan subsequently prohibited its sale and consumption.
In a statement to the Indonesia Stock Exchange on Monday, Indofood's Corporate Secretary Gideon A. Putro stressed that all of the company's noodles manufactured in Indonesia comply with safety requirements set by the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM).
The product in question was imported by a third party that is not an authorized distributor of ICBP, as this variant is not marketed or officially exported to Taiwan, Gideon said, adding that the company is coordinating closely with BPOM, which in turn is in discussions with Taiwanese authorities.
He also assured investors that the incident would not have a material impact on the company's operations or financial performance. Indofood's instant noodles, he sais, meet Codex standards, have received Indonesia's national certification (SNI), and are produced in facilities certified under ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000 food safety systems.
BPOM separately confirmed that the affected product had official approval to be sold in Indonesia and was safe for domestic consumption. The agency explained that Taiwan enforces a stricter requirement, mandating zero detectable levels of ethylene oxide in food.
By contrast, regulators in the United States, European Union, and Indonesia set limits separately for ethylene oxide and its byproduct 2-chloroethanol. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, the global food standards body under the World Health Organization and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, has yet to issue guidance on maximum residue limits for the chemical.
BPOM said the product likely entered Taiwan through traders outside the company's official distribution network, without Indofood's knowledge. The agency is monitoring Indofood's ongoing investigation into its raw materials and supply chain and pledged to keep communicating with Taiwan's regulators.
The watchdog also urged Indonesian consumers to remain calm but vigilant, reminding them to check packaging, labels, distribution permits, and expiration dates before purchasing or consuming processed foods.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/business/indofood-reassures-consumers-after-taiwan-ban-on-indomie-flavo