Indomie in Taiwan

Last Friday, authorities in Taiwan announced the recall of Indomie Instant Noodle after two forbidden preservatives, i.e. Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and Benzoic Acid, were found.

These preservatives are only allowed for usage in Cosmetics and are banned in Taiwan, Canada and Europe.  
If consumed, they may cause vomiting, and if they are taken for long periods or in substantial amounts, they may cause metabolic acidosis - a condition due to too much acid.

Due to the ban in Taiwan, two large supermarkets in Hongkong have stopped selling Indomie noodles.

In response to these allegations, a Director of PT Indofood Consumer Brand Product (ICBP) as producer of Indomie, i.e. Taufik Wiraatmaja, told reporters that the instant noodles ICBP exported to Taiwan met the local food safety requirement. He also said that his Company shall check with the authorities in Taiwan and take necessary steps to protect its consumers.

Meanwhile, Kustantinah, head of Indonesia’s National Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), said that Indomie instant noodles are safe. 


What happened to Indomie in Taiwan has caused the decrease in the price of stocks of INDF and ICBP at the Jakarta Stock Exchange today. 

Considering that Indomie instant noodle is very popular in Indonesia, and have good market positions in Taiwan and Hongkong, I hope that ICBP would do its very best to prove that their products are safe for consumption.

For details, please read the following media reports :

-   Indofood to clarify Indomie noodle raid in Taiwan (The Jakarta Post)
-   Marts pull noodles on Taiwan sickness allert (The Standard)
-   Indomie ditarik, Saham INDF-ICBP Anjlok ! (Detik)
-   Indomie Bermasalah di Taiwan dan Hongkong (VivaNews)

Photo :  Courtesy of The Standard