Cancer: NICRAT advices Nigerians on NAFDAC’s Indomie Noodles ban order

The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has expressed concern that Nigerians should expect an escalation of various forms of cancers in the months or years ahead, depending on how long they have consumed the Indomie Noodles brand.

More worrisome, according to a statement signed by the Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, is that Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children because Indomie noddles is a popular food among most Nigerian children.

The DG noted that the NICRAT’s concern is premised on the fact that, cancer has claimed a lot of lives in Nigeria. In 2020 alone, 78,000 Nigerians died as a result of cancer related complications (34,200 males and 44,699 fameless).

NICRAT, therefore, advice Nigerians to obey the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC’s instructions on the ban and consumption of Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.

NICRAT, however, assures Nigerians of its commitment to take cancer prevention, research and treatment to the next level by ensuring that Nigerians are safe from all forms of cancers.

Commending the prompt intervention of NAFDAC to carry out comprehensive investigation to ascertain the magnitude of the situation, NICRAT’s review of Ethylyne Oxide shows that the compound has grave consequences to human health, especially, when consumed.

“Our in-dept review of Ethylyne Oxide indicated that it is a highly reactive chemical that is used as a raw material to make other compounds such as glycol ethers and polyglycol ethers, as well as a range of emulsifiers, detergents, and solvents.

“Ethylene oxide is also widely used as a fumigant for cleaning culinary goods, including spices. It is also frequently used to disinfect medical equipment, particularly those that might be harmed by heat sterilization.

“Our review, therefore, revealed that there is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of ethylene oxide, and there is strong evidence that the carcinogenicity of ethylene oxide, a direct-acting alkylating agent, operates by a genotoxic mechanism,” reads the statement

The DG further said NICRAT will collaborate with NAFDAC in ensuring the safety and protection of Nigerians from cancer causing agents.