VANGUARD
THE National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, NICRAT, has said Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children if the ongoing investigation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, proves that there is presence of Ethylyne Oxide in Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.
The cancer centre said its position was because Indomie noddle is a popular food among most Nigerian children.
In a statement, Wednesday evening, by its Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, NICRAT’ said its “review of Ethylyne Oxide shows that the compound has grave consequences to human health, especially, when consumed.”
According to the agency, “Our in-dept review of Ethylyne Oxide indicated that it is a highly reactive chemical that is used as a raw material to make other compounds such as glycol ethers and polyglycol ethers, as well as a range of emulsifiers, detergents, and solvents.
“Ethylene oxide is also widely used as a fumigant for cleaning culinary goods, including spices,” it explained.
It expressed concerns over the presence of carcinogenic compound in Indomie Noddles.
The statement read in full: “The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has expressed concern over the revelation of the alleged presence of a carcinogenic compound (Ethylyne Oxide) in Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.
“While we commend the prompt intervention of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to carry out comprehensive investigation to ascertain the magnitude of the situation, NICRAT’s review of Ethylyne Oxide shows that the compound has grave consequences to human health, especially, when consumed.
“Our in-dept review of Ethylyne Oxide indicated that it is a highly reactive chemical that is used as a raw material to make other compounds such as glycol ethers and polyglycol ethers, as well as a range of emulsifiers, detergents, and solvents.
Ethylene oxide is also widely used as a fumigant for cleaning culinary goods, including spices. It is also frequently used to disinfect medical equipment, particularly those that might be harmed by heat sterilization.
“Our review, therefore, revealed that there is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of ethylene oxide, and there is strong evidence that the carcinogenicity of ethylene oxide, a direct-acting alkylating agent, operates by a genotoxic mechanism.
“NICRAT, created by an Act in 2017 as an agency with the mandate to prevent, conduct research and treat cancers in Nigeria, is deeply worried that, if found that some brands of Indomie noodles contain ethylyne oxide, then, Nigerians should expect an escalation of various forms of cancers in the months or years ahead, depending on how long people have consumed that brand.
“More worrisome, is that Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children because Indomie noddles is a popular food among most Nigerian children.
