Denmark’s food agency put out a warning on Tuesday calling for consumers to avoid eating the popular Korean instant ramen brand, Samyang.
The agency put out the warning on Tuesday, urging consumers to either dump the product or return it to the store they bought it from.
Noodles Recalled for Being Too Spicy?
The ramen noodle products were reportedly recalled for having a spice-component level high enough to poison consumers.
Each packet, it was warned, may contain enough capsaicin to “pose a risk of the consumer developing acute poisoning”, according to the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
What is Capsaicin?
Capsaicin is the component of chili peppers responsible for a burning sensation of spice.
It is most common in the tissue surrounding the seeds of the plant and is a chemical irritant and neurotoxin to mammals.
Can Capsaicin Kill?
Capsaicin, when consumed in large quantities, can cause unpleasant side effects beyond the obvious burning sensation such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
However, it is unlikely to cause a fatality. Research found that you would need to ingest around 3 pounds in one short sitting. This would be difficult, as your body is likely to reject the chilies long before you manage to eat this amount.
Instant Noodles Are Sold Globally
Samyang’s instant ramen noodles are a popular product that is widely exported.
As of 2022, they reportedly sold to 90 countries across the world. Then, they reported that they had sold over 4 billion packets of Hot Chicken flavor, one of the flavors recalled.
This is the First Time They Have Been Recalled
Despite the widespread nature of the instant noodle flavor’s market, this is the first time a country has issued a warning and recall.
Samyang Foods have been selling spicy instant noodles since 2012 and were South Korea’s first instant ramen producer.
Netizens Amused By Danish Intolerance for Spice
Some people commenting on online micro-blogging sites have triedto see a funny side to the situation.
One commenter on Reddit shared this story: “I had a friend from Denmark who thought tasteless breaded shrimp with a little bit of ground pepper on it was too spicy. Not surprised they think this ramen is poison.”
The Rise of Spicy Ramen
Instant ramen is a twist on the Japanese noodle dish which dries the noodles so that they can be prepared quickly and eaten at home.
The convenience and taste has led to a steep rise in popularity across the globe in the past decade, with huge quantities of instant noodles being exported to China and the US. In 2023, the export revenue of ramen from South Korea alone exceeded $725 million.
Samyang Foods Have Been Going Strong for Over 6 Decades
Samyang Foods are a South Korea-based, international food manufacturer. In 1963, they released the first instant noodle in the country.
In 2012, they released their now-famous Spicy Chicken flavor. At the time, eating challenges of the dish went viral online due to its spiciness. So, it isn’t only the Danish who find it spicy.
Samyang Bemoan the Decision of the Danish Authorities
The company are keen to make it clear that the quality of the food is not in question.
They told the BBC that they “understand that the Danish food authority recalled the products, not because of a problem in their quality but because they were too spicy.”
