Two of the three spicy South Korean noodle products banned in Denmark in June for being ‘too spicy’ can now be sold again.
In June, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) announced the recall of three different Korean rameon noodle products, saying they were so hot they might cause “acute poisoning”.
The news went viral across the world, with social media commentators saying it was cause to retract Denmark’s “Viking card”.
But the decision has since been partially reversed, with the food administration having announced that two of the products, Buldak Spicy Noodles’ 2X Spicy & Hot Chicken and Hot Chicken Stew, could be reintroduced into the market.
A “new risk assessment” concluded that the two products are “not a health risk”, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration said in a statement.
“On the basis of new analysis results and the Technical University of Denmark’s updated risk assessment of the results, the authority has concluded that two of the products … do not contain such high levels of capsaicin as stated by the supplier in marketing materials,” it said.
The third product, 3X Spicy & Hot Chicken, is however still considered a health risk due to high levels of capsaicin, the active component of chilli peppers.
Buldak, the spicy noodle brand of Korean company Samyang Foods, chose to celebrate the decision with a promotional event on a noodle-themed ferry cruise around Copenhagen Harbour on Thursday.
The reversal by the food administration “allowed Buldak to reclaim its spot in the hearts (and spice cabinets) of Danish consumers,” a representative for the company said in an email to The Local.
“The temporary ban captured global attention and Buldak wanted to turn this challenge into an opportunity to thank loyal fans in Denmark,” Buldak Spicy Noodles said in a press release.
Among other messages displayed on the ferry, Danish noodle fans were thanked for being “Vikings who can handle the spice.”
Denmark’s food poisoning helpline has received reports of 14 cases after consuming chilli noodles, according to the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. Symptoms have included stomach pain and vomiting.
“It is prohibited throughout the EU to market food that may be harmful to health. Other EU countries have also removed foods with a high capsaicin content from their market,” it said in the statement.
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