New analyses from the Danish Food Authority have revealed that two out of three chili noodles from the South Korean producer Samyang do not pose a health risk and can therefore return to Danish store shelves. This information comes after a previous announcement in June, where the authority banned the sale of the noodles due to their high capsaicin content, which could lead to acute poisoning. Capsaicin, the active ingredient that gives chili its strong flavor, was the cause for concern. Particularly popular on TikTok, where children and young people challenge each other to eat the “extremely spicy” noodles, the products posed a special risk for children. The Food Authority has now concluded that two of the products – “Samyang Buldak 2 x Spicy Hot Chicken” and “Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Stew” – do not contain as high levels of capsaicin as previously stated by the retailers. These products can therefore be sold again in Danish stores.
However, the authority maintains that “Samyang Buldak 3 x Spicy Hot Chicken” still contains a too high level of capsaicin, which according to the Danish Technical University Food Institute poses a risk of acute poisoning when consumed. The noodles have been available in supermarkets, specialty stores, and online, and Poison Line has received 14 reports of poisoning cases after consumption of chili noodles. Symptoms included stomach pain and vomiting, but it is not clear if these cases involve Samyang products or other chili noodles. In the EU, it is forbidden to market food that can be harmful to health, and the EU Commission is currently working on common guidelines for the permissible content of capsaicin in ready-to-eat foods.