Danish food authorities recently recalled some Samyang Foods products – ‘Buldak noodle’ for being “too spicy,” whereas New Zealand authorities, who initiated an investigation later, opted against a recall.
According to industry sources on the 26th, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) recently concluded its investigation into three Samyang hot chicken noodle (Buldak) products recalled by Denmark, reaching this decision.
The NZFSA stated, “Despite containing high levels of capsaicin, the product packaging provides full disclosure of this fact.” They added, “While high capsaicin levels, as cited by Denmark for the recall, may pose risks to vulnerable groups like the elderly and children, these products are not marketed specifically to them.”
Different test result
Samyang Foods engaged a certified local agency to test the products, revealing that the actual capsaicin content was one-quarter of the levels reported by Danish authorities. Based on these findings, Samyang Foods formally contested the Danish authorities’ decision on the 19th.
According to the investigation results, the capsaicin content per ramen bag was as follows: 3 times spicy – 27.8mg, 2 times spicy – 16.8mg, and 11.1mg. These figures represent a quarter of the capsaicin amounts initially announced by Danish authorities, which were 113 mg, 69.6 mg, and 42.4 mg respectively
Rights to get spicy
However, there are voices suggesting that these standards restrict personal choices and preferences. They argue that not understanding these standards can feel like a violation of their rights when they simply want to explore new tastes or experiences. If the government were to ban hamburgers due to health concerns, it would impede our right to choose what we eat. I believe individuals should be responsible for their own dietary decisions.