PRESERVATIVES IN INDOMIE INSTANT NOODLES SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Health Ministry Wednesday
assured that preservatives found in Indomie instant noodles imported from
Indonesia are safe for consumption and will not cause any health risks.

Its minister, Liow Tiong Lai, said use of the agent known as
hydroxylbenzoic acid methyl ester had been verified by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert
Committee on Food Additives.

"The agent is safe if used in foods at an acceptable level," he said during
a news conference after chairing a World Heatlh Committee (WHO) Western Pacific
Regional Committee meeting, which entered its third day, at the Putrajaya
International Convention Centre (PICC) here Wednesday.

Last Saturday, it was reported that the Taipei Country Health Bureau
detected para hydroxy benzoic acid, a preservative meant for cosmetics, in the
soya sauce seasoning used to flavour Indomie instant noodles.

Liow said tests on 30 samples of the product sold in the local market showed
negative results.

"Based on our monitoring, the Indomie products sold in Malaysia as well as
other imported food products are not tainted," he said.

-- BERNAMA