The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration issued a recall of three types of South Korean spicy instant noodle products due to the high levels of capsaicin, which is an active ingredient in chili peppers. The products, made by Seoul-based Samyang Foods, include Buldak Samyang 3 X Spicy & Hot Chicken noodles, Buldak Samyang 2 x Spicy & Hot Chicken, and Buldak Samyang Hot Chicken Stew. The authorities stated that the capsaicin content was excessively high and posed a health hazard, as it could lead to acute poisoning. Consumers, particularly children and vulnerable individuals, were at risk of experiencing burning sensations, discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure.
South Korean products have gained popularity on social media, with children and teenagers in Denmark daring each other to consume these spicy noodle dishes marketed as extremely strong. The Danish administration emphasized that these products needed to be removed from shelves to prevent consumers from being at risk of acute poisoning due to the high capsaicin content. Henrik Dammand Nielsen of the agency highlighted that children, frail adults, and elderly individuals were at the greatest risk of experiencing adverse effects from consuming these overly spicy noodles. The agency called for shops to take immediate action in removing the products to protect public health.
Samyang Foods, the manufacturer of the recalled noodles, provided a statement to the media in South Korea, indicating that they understood the recall was due to the spiciness of the product and not related to its quality. The company did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital regarding the recall. Spicy food challenges have been popular for years, with individuals competing in chili pepper eating contests or consuming extra spicy dishes to earn recognition. Unfortunately, these challenges can sometimes have serious consequences, as was the case with a Massachusetts teen who died after participating in a spicy tortilla chip challenge on social media last September.
In that incident, the 10th grader with a congenital heart defect consumed a large quantity of chili pepper extract by eating a Paqui chip as part of the “One Chip Challenge” orchestrated by the manufacturer. The autopsy report obtained by the Associated Press revealed that the teen died as a result of consuming the excessively spicy chip. This tragic outcome serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with spicy food challenges, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions. The recall of the South Korean spicy instant noodle products by the Danish authorities underscores the importance of ensuring food safety and protecting consumers from potential health hazards posed by overly spicy products.
