Eurofins has made public the results of the examination of Hao Hao's products

After receiving information related to the two batches of export products (Good brand vermicelli with pork rib flavor, 56gr, manufacturing date 10/5/2021; and Hao Hao instant noodle, with spicy shrimp flavor, 77gr, manufacture date 24/3/2021) that were recalled in the EU, Acecook Vietnam set to learn about the content of RASFF’s warning and the EO standards set by EU countries. It checked the entire production process and sent some products for export and for domestic consumption to Eurofins for testing.

Eurofins, the food chromatography lab, has made public the results of the examination of Hao Hao instant noodle related to the EO infection case.

Eurofins affirmed that Hao Hao spicy instant noodle for domestic consumption does not contain EO, but has a very small volume of 2-chloroetanol (2- CE) (1.17ppm)

The 2-CE content is lower than the US standards (940ppm), Canada (940ppm), and some other countries.

With the result, Acecook affirmed that the product can satisfy the requirements on safety and quality.

Acecook Vietnam said the products were recalled in the EU because of the presence of 2-CE. The EU has a specific regulation on calculating the EO content – which is the combination value of both EO and 2-CE. The presence of 2-CE was not complying with the regulation. As a result, Good vermicelli and Hao Hao noodle were recalled in the EU.

Regarding the presence of 2-CE in products, Acecook Vietnam has found that one material supplier used EO to sterilize materials. Also, the supplier’s material analysis results discovered the presence of a little 2-CE.

The enterprise thinks this could be why the EU concluded that the products did not conform to regulations.

Acecook Vietnam said it needs more time to continue verifying and clarifying the reasons behind the EU’s decision, it will later update information.

For the case in the EU market, the enterprise will take responsibility and will join forces with distributors to recall the products as requested by state management agencies in EU countries.

The enterprise has decided to temporarily stop exporting products to the EU market and discuss with distributors in EU countries on halting the launch of products that don’t meet EU standards on 2-CE.

An independent analysis by Eurofins found that the 2-CE content in Hao Hao spicy instant noodles for export and Good vermicelli for the European market was very low. The figures were 0.62ppm in the former and 5.98ppm in the latter, much lower than the standards set by the US and other countries. 

Tran Chung

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