Updated Apr.10,2006 21:41 KST

Updated Apr.10,2006 21:41 KST

Korean Firms in Hot Water over Irradiated Ramen
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has taken three products from the
Korean instant noodle makers Nongshim and Samyang Foods off the
shelves.

In a report posted on the FSAI website, the government body says the
products violate EU regulations on labeling foods that have been
irradiated. The products in question are a seafood broth dish from Nong
Shim and the Seafood Party and Chacharoni products from Samyang Foods,
the industry said Monday.

A website revealing that ramen noodle products from Korean companies
Nongshim and Samyang Foods breach EU regulations mandating proper
labeling of irradiated foods.

The FSAI started investigating last November whether Asian noodle
products adhered to regulations on food labeling. It turned up problems
with products from Koka (Singapore), Maitre Khan, Original Sichuan
Famous Snack (China) and Nissin (Hong Kong). Last June, the U.K.'s
Food Standards Agency found that labels on Nong Shim products such as
Shin Ramyun and Chapageti did not properly mention the fact that they
had been irradiated, and last September it banned their sale. Nong Shim
resumed exports in November after changing the labels to British
standards

A Nongshim staffer said the products uncovered in Ireland recently were
exported before last June. "We already started exporting products in
accordance with FSA standards last year. Exports are proceeding
normally with approval from the Irish government," he added. A
Samyang Foods staffer said the FSA uncovered products exported without
labeling them for radiation "since this is acceptable under domestic
regulations." But he added, "We will now attach labels showing
whether a product has been irradiated in accordance with EU
legislation."

(englishnews@chosun.com )
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has taken three products from the
Korean instant noodle makers Nongshim and Samyang Foods off the
shelves.

In a report posted on the FSAI website, the government body says the
products violate EU regulations on labeling foods that have been
irradiated. The products in question are a seafood broth dish from Nong
Shim and the Seafood Party and Chacharoni products from Samyang Foods,
the industry said Monday.

A website revealing that ramen noodle products from Korean companies
Nongshim and Samyang Foods breach EU regulations mandating proper
labeling of irradiated foods.

The FSAI started investigating last November whether Asian noodle
products adhered to regulations on food labeling. It turned up problems
with products from Koka (Singapore), Maitre Khan, Original Sichuan
Famous Snack (China) and Nissin (Hong Kong). Last June, the U.K.'s
Food Standards Agency found that labels on Nong Shim products such as
Shin Ramyun and Chapageti did not properly mention the fact that they
had been irradiated, and last September it banned their sale. Nong Shim
resumed exports in November after changing the labels to British
standards

A Nongshim staffer said the products uncovered in Ireland recently were
exported before last June. "We already started exporting products in
accordance with FSA standards last year. Exports are proceeding
normally with approval from the Irish government," he added. A
Samyang Foods staffer said the FSA uncovered products exported without
labeling them for radiation "since this is acceptable under domestic
regulations." But he added, "We will now attach labels showing
whether a product has been irradiated in accordance with EU
legislation."

(englishnews@chosun.com )

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