An instant noodles product of Thien Huong has been recalled in Norway due to the presence of a banned substance, the second such incident in Europe this month.
The “dried noodles with chicken – and beef spices” of Ho Chi Minh City-based Thien Huong has been found to contain ethylene oxide, which is banned from food products in the country.
Vietnamese authorities have ordered Thien Huong to provide relevant samples to examine the claim.
A spokesperson for Thien Huong said Monday the recalled product is sold exclusively in Norway and not in Vietnam.
It has been sold for four months in “small” volume, the spokesperson said, adding there is no ethylene oxide in any part of the production.
Thien Huong exports to the E.U., the U.S., Africa, Japan and South Korea.
On Aug. 20, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) announced batches of Hao Hao and Good branded noodles were being recalled after they were also found to contain ethylene oxide.
Kajiwara Junichi, general director of Acecook Vietnam that produced the products, said the firm has abided by all the rules in Vietnam and in all the countries that it exports noodles to.
The firm has contacted its suppliers who have asserted they do not use ethylene oxide during production, he said, stressing Acecook Vietnam does not allow the use of ethylene oxide in any production process.
