The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has announced a recall of three spicy Korean instant ramen products due to high levels of capsaicin, a chili pepper extract, which could pose health risks.
Seoul-based Samyang Foods, considered one of South Korea’s largest companies, makes noodles that are sold around the world.
Danish authorities have recalled Buldak Samyang 3 x Spicy & Hot Chicken Noodles, Buldak Samyang 2 x Spicy & Hot Chicken, and Buldak Samyang Hot Chicken Stew.
The Associated Press reported that authorities say the products contain excessive amounts of capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, but it is also a chemical considered a neurotoxin and poses the risk of “acute poisoning.”
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Bags of Samyang noodles imported from South Korea have been recalled by Danish food authorities due to the risk of “acute poisoning”. (AP Photo)
The Danish government said Korean products were becoming popular on social media as Danish children and young people taunted each other to eat “thick noodle soup”.
“Noodle dishes advertised as being very spicy should no longer be sold as they expose consumers, especially children, to the risk of acute poisoning,” the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration said. “Due to their very high capsaicin content, they may pose a health hazard.”
The agency’s Henrik Damand Nielsen said those at risk were children, frail adults and the elderly, who could experience symptoms including a burning sensation, discomfort, nausea, vomiting and high blood pressure.
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Danish food authorities have recalled three varieties of spicy Samyang instant noodles imported from South Korea. (AP Photo)
“As a result, we are now asking stores to remove the product from their shelves,” the agency said.
In a statement to South Korean media, Samyang Foods said it understood the recall was due to the spiciness of the product, not quality.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Samyang Foods for comment.
Spicy food challenges are nothing new and have been around for years. They might involve a local chili eating contest or an attempt to finish a super spicy dish and have it displayed on a restaurant’s wall of fame.
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a Massachusetts A teenager with a congenital heart disease died after ingesting a large amount of chili pepper extract after taking part in a spicy tortilla chip challenge on social media in September.
The high school freshman died after eating Paki chips as part of Paki’s “One Chip Challenge,” according to an autopsy report obtained by The Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
