Denmark welcomes return of banned South Korean noodles

Samyang Foods

08/08/2024 21:35

By Isabelle Yr Carlsson and Tom Little
       COPENHAGEN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Danes in central
Copenhagen on Thursday marked the return to supermarket shelves
of fiery South Korean ramen noodles that had been banned for
being too spicy, a decision that has since been partly reversed.
    Stores in Denmark in June removed three variants of South
Korean Samyang Foods'  003230.KS  Buldak instant ramen line
after the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration found the
noodles' high capsaicin level posed a serious health risk.
        Capsaicin, the compound in chillies that creates a
burning sensation when eaten, can cause intoxication, nausea,
high blood pressure and vomiting when ingested in high
quantities, the Danish regulator has said.
        Samyang, which sells the products worldwide, had
contested the ban, and on Thursday celebrated the reversal by
feeding its noodles to social media influencers, gathered on a
ferry adorned in the firm's bright-red colours on Copenhagen's
harbour.
        "It's very spicy. But now that I've had them a few
times, I just enjoy them more and more," said Phillip, a
Copenhagen resident who gave only his first name.
    Influencers who had been paid to participate joined fans to
try the noodles served by chefs onboard the boat as it sailed
through the Danish capital.
    The regulator's warning in June was specifically aimed at
children and youngsters, who challenge each other on social
media to eat the spicy ramen, as well as vulnerable adults, it
said in a statement at the time.
    But the ban was lifted last month for two of the three
variants after further examination of the spicy noodles showed
that they did not exceed the critical capsaicin level.
    "When they were banned, I bought like 50 packages, which I
still have now but I guess I have a good deposit," Phillip said.
    "I feel great now that they're available again."


 (Reporting by Isabelle Yr Carlsson and Tom Little, editing by
Louise Rasmussen and Rosalba O'Brien)
 ((isabelle.carlsson@thomsonreuters.com;))