Food Safety New Zealand has wrapped up their investigation into the Buldak noodles that were recalled in Denmark for being wayyy too spicy.
ICYMI - Earlier this month, a bunch of fiery Samyang Foods' Buldak noodles were banned overseas for containing large levels of capsaicin - that's the stuff in chilis that makes your mouth feel like it's on fire.
New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) launched its own investigation into the popular South Korean noodle brand amid concerns they'd pose a "health hazard" to Kiwis - but ultimately decided they didn't need to be pulled off the shelves.
The spicy culprits included Buldak’s 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken (13,200 Scoville units of pure pain), 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken (8,808), and Hot Chicken Stew (4,705).
Our very own Cal Payne reckoned they couldn’t be THAT hot, so hunted down a pack of the 3x Spicy to try - let’s just say he understood the concern.
Now, NZFS have shared their final verdict on recalling the noodles.
Even with their high levels of capsaicin, NZFS has confirmed there is no need to pull the noodles from Kiwi shelves.
"These products do contain high levels of capsaicin but are clearly labelled to indicate their increased spiciness," New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said via 1 News.
"While the products may present a risk to frail elderly people and young children, which was the basis for Denmark’s recall, these groups are not the intended consumers."
Arbuckle also threw in a reminder for those brave enough to take on the heat: "They will know the product is too spicy for them and will naturally stop eating them".
He made it clear that if there were ever a real food safety risk, NZFS would step in.
But to date, there have been no complaints, so Kiwis are free to continue enjoying their SPICE!
