The Nigerian agency responsible for regulating food and drugs, NAFDAC, has announced that it is investigating a well-known brand of noodles following allegations that it contains a substance linked to higher cancer risks.


The agency said in a statement it was conducting “random sampling and analysis of Indomie noodles, including the seasoning, for the presence of ethylene oxide”.


It said it was extending the investigation to other brands of instant noodles in the Nigerian market.


Nafdac said the probe follows a recall of the “special chicken flavour” noodle brands last week in Malaysia and Taiwan after the substance was detected in some samples.


Indofoods, the Indonesian food giant that makes Indomie, has however since defended the safety of its products.


According to the Nigerian agency, the brand in question was not authorized for sale in the country and the port authorities have been instructed to prevent its importation.


“We assure the public that thorough investigation of the products will be conducted both at the factory and market levels and our findings will be communicated,” it said.