Korean ramen products at risk of causing ‘acute poisoning’ recalled

Denmark’s food agency has recalled three South Korean spicy instant ramen noodle products – warning consumers they are so hot they might cause “acute poisoning”.

The Samyang Foods products being withdrawn are Samyang Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken and Hot Chicken Stew.

The agency issued the warning on Tuesday and said the products were being recalled because the levels of total capsaicin in a single pack of all three noodle products “are so high that they pose a risk of the consumer developing acute poisoning”.

“If you have the products, you should discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased,” the agency said.

It emphasised the warning for children, urging parents to contact a Danish helpline if their youngsters appeared to show “acute symptoms”.

Capsaicin is the substance found in chilli peppers that gives them their hot and spicy kick.

Samyang Foods said it was the first time the company’s products had been recalled because they were deemed too spicy.

“Currently, the products are being exported around the world, but this is the first time they have been recalled for this reason,” a spokesperson for the company told the AFP news agency.

It added that it would work to better understand local regulations in export markets.

Samyang Foods was established in 1961 and brands itself as the first firm in the country to produce instant noodles.

Its headquarters are in the South Korean capital, Seoul.