Denmark has recalled a trio of instant ramen flavours for being hot enough to “pose a health hazard,” according to the country’s food regulator. Consumers who have already purchased the products were being urged not to eat them, AP reports.
The offending noodles, made by South Korea’s Samyang Foods, are Buldak 3 x Spicy & Hot Chicken, Buldak 2 x Spicy & Hot Chicken and Buldak Hot Chicken Stew. All three are exported worldwide and have never faced recalls before, their manufacturer told media.
Samyang said that it was under the impression the Danish food authority’s decision was not related to the products’ quality. Rather, these particular ramen flavours had been deemed “too spicy” for the local market.
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“We will closely study local regulations while responding to this recall measure,” the company noted.
Danish officials say the products have been found to contain overly high levels of capsaicin, an active ingredient in chilli peppers that could cause “acute poisoning,” particularly in young people and the elderly. All three flavours had all been referred to by name in a social media dare that urged children and teens to eat “a strong bowl of noodle soup,” it noted.
“It is important that parents are aware of the extreme noodle varieties and avoid them,” a government spokesperson said.
