A LOCAL consumer group has asked the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to conduct a deeper probe into the detection of ethylene oxide traces in Lucky Me! Instant Noodles manufactured by Monde Nissin Philippines and immediately recall the products that were found contaminated.

The Makabayan Consumer Watch, a group of concerned netizens, said the FDA should issue a transparent, objective and trustworthy report on the use ethylene oxide as a preservative in the production of instant noodles which have become popular and affordable food items in the Philippines.

“Until the FDA releases a transparent and reliable technical report or explanation on the issue of ethylene oxide which is used as preservative in Lucky Me! Instant Noodles, the Filipino public faces health risks, especially as instant noodles have become the favorite food of poor consumers,” Makabayan Consumer Watch said in a statement.

Food safety regulators in the European Union and Taiwan said Lucky Me! Instant Noodles and pancit canton produced in Thailand were found to contain traces of ethylene oxide. Among the Lucky Me! flavors that were recalled in Europe were beef noodle soup, Pancit Canton original, Pancit Canton chili, Pancit Canton kalamansi, and Pancit Canton chilimansi.

“Although the consumption of the contaminated product does not pose an acute risk to health, there may be health issues if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide over a long period of time. Therefore, exposure to this substance needs to be minimized,” the Food Safety Authority of Ireland said.

The Makabayan Consumer Watch asked the FDA to order a recall of products manufactured by Nissin Monde Philippines, particularly the Lucky Me! Instant Noodles that were found to contain traces of ethylene oxide.

“We ask for a copy of the technical report on the laboratory testing conducted by the FDA. It is the only way we can be assured that the Lucky Me! Instant Noodles manufactured by Monde Nissin Philippines are safe for consumption,” the group said.

This came despite the sweeping statement from health authorities on Saturday that the said noodle product is safe for human consumption.

Makabayan Consumer Watch said that at present, there is no clear explanation from the FDA if it already in the process of conducting any technical or laboratory test on the affected products.

The group said it submitted the request to FDA in its bid to ensure the protection of the Filipino pubic and uphold consumer rights for affordable, safe and high-quality food products.

In a statement, Monde Nissin confirmed that ethylene oxide is is a commonly used treatment in spices and seeds to control microbial growth typical in agricultural products. These materials, when processed into seasoning and sauces, may still show traces of ethylene oxide, it said.

Monde Nissin said it is also aware of information being shared about certain Lucky Me! products in an ongoing recall in the EU and Taiwan due to the alleged presence of ethylene oxide.

FDA officer-in-charge director-general Dr. Oscar G. Gutierrez Jr. said the agency received reports on the ongoing recall of certain batches of “Lucky Me! Instant Pancit Canton Noodles” in European countries and Taiwan. The FDA-registered products are manufactured locally by Monde Nissin Philippines.

The FDA said ethylene oxide is a processing aid used to disinfect herbs and spices. “In order to ensure that the public health is protected, the use of ethylene oxide for sterilizing purposes in food is not allowed in the European Union. However, there can still be traces from the ingredients or raw materials. Hence, the EU set a maximum residue levels at a very low level based on the type of the commodity,” it said.

The FDA said it began investigating the reports and coordinated with Monde Nissin to check its compliance.

“We shall provide updates on the result of investigation for public information,” Gutierrez said.

Meanwhile, an earlier CNN Philippines report said “the instant noodle brand Lucky Me! on Thursday said it complies with local food safety standards after some countries warned against consumption of its popular pancit canton products and ordered them recalled due to reportedly high levels of pesticide.”

Lucky Me!, whose parent company is the Philippine-based Monde Nissin, explained its noodles may merely show traces of the antimicrobial pesticide ethylene oxide, which is used in its raw materials.

“We would like to clarify that ethylene oxide is not added in Lucky Me! products,” its statement read. “It is a commonly used treatment in spices and seeds to control microbial growth typical in agricultural products. These materials, when processed into seasoning and sauces, may still show traces of ethylene oxide.”

The brand said its instant noodles have been recalled in Taiwan and in some European countries.

However, it added that the same recall order affects other firms’ noodle brands and products, including ice cream, sesame seed, spices, and calcium carbonate supplements.

“Rest assured that all Lucky Me! products are Philippine FDA (Food and Drug Administration) registered and comply with local food safety standards and even the US FDA standards for ethylene oxide,” it also wrote.

Among countries that have issued a recall order on a batch of Lucky Me! noodles is Ireland. Information posted on its Food Safety Authority website showed the particular batch came from Thailand.