Denmark has recalled several spicy ramen products made by South Korea’s Samyang, claiming the capsaicin content could poison consumers.
Three fiery flavors from Samyang’s instant noodle range are about to be discontinued: Buldak 3x Spicy Chicken, 2x Spicy Chicken and Braised Chicken.
The Danish food agency issued a recall and warning on Tuesday, urging consumers to abandon the product.
It was unclear whether any specific incident prompted Danish authorities to take action.
Danish Veterinary and Food Administration It said it had assessed that the capsaicin content in a single package was “so high that it poses a risk of acute poisoning to consumers.”
“If you have these products, you should discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased,” the company said in a statement.
It also emphasizes warnings to children that extremely spicy foods can be harmful to them.
The notice sparked heated discussions online, with many spicy food lovers expressing their amusement. Many people assert that Danes have a low tolerance for spices.
“I have a friend from Denmark who thinks the tasteless breaded shrimp with a little pepper is too spicy. Not surprisingly, they think the ramen is poisonous,” reads one popular comment on Reddit’s ramen forum.
It’s unclear whether other countries have recalled the noodles. There do not appear to be any other safety warnings issued globally.
Capsaicin is the compound in chili peppers that produces the burning sensation.
When humans eat hot peppers, capsaicin is released into saliva and binds to receptors in the mouth.
Samyang is a large Korean food manufacturer that positioned itself as the first Korean company to produce instant noodles as early as the 1960s.
