HCMC - The Science and Technology Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade today, August 28, asked Acecook Vietnam to promptly respond to a warning over the contamination of its Hao Hao instant noodles and Good vermicelli.

After being notified of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s warning, the ministry ordered Acecook Vietnam to report the production steps of the Hao Hao instant noodles and Good vermicelli and clarify the differences between the batches for domestic consumption and export to evaluate the alleged existence of ethylene oxide in the two items, according to the department. The substance is not in the list of pesticides in food regulated in Circular 50 on the maximum residue levels. Besides, the ministry directed the competent units to review all the products made by Acecook Vietnam that have been distributed locally and point out whether it violated food safety regulations. Under Vietnam’s food safety regulations and relevant laws, food producers and food trading and manufacturing facilities must face administrative fines or criminal charges if they violate these regulations. Earlier on August 20, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland decided to recall some batches of the Hao Hao instant noodles and Good vermicelli produced by Acecook Vietnam as the products contain ethylene oxide, which is harmful to health and is prohibited in food sold in the European Union. On August 27, a representative of Acecook told Thanh Nien Online that the products recalled by Ireland were those for export and did not belong to the batch for domestic consumption. Acecook Vietnam did not use ethylene oxide in any of the production stages, the representative said, adding that the firm is re-checking all the materials, equipment and relevant steps to ensure the quality of the products and the safety of customers.