Nissin noodle recall in Australia does not apply to Taiwan: TFDA

Taipei, Oct. 14 (CNA) A Nissin Foods' instant noodle product recalled in Australia over an undeclared milk allergen does not raise the same concern in Taiwan, because the imported versions sold locally are properly labeled, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) said Wednesday.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand issued a recall notice on Oct. 9 for "Nissin Salt and Sesame Oil Noodles Aburasoba 82g," distributed by Sweets & Beverages Australia Pty Ltd., because the product's label did not declare milk as an allergen.

The TFDA said the product, made by the Nissin Foods Group, a major Japanese instant noodle manufacturer, is imported into Taiwan, but the versions sold locally carry Chinese-language labels stating that they contain milk, so the problem that prompted the recall does not arise in Taiwan.

TFDA specialist Liao Tzu-ting (廖姿婷) told CNA that the product had import inspection records up to Oct. 11, and the agency had confirmed with the importer that all shipments to Taiwan carry the required allergen labeling.

The product has therefore been given a green-light designation, the lowest alert level, in the TFDA's overseas food alert system, she said.

The TFDA nonetheless advised Taiwanese traveling to Australia or New Zealand not to buy or eat the affected product while the recall remains in effect.

Liao also reminded travelers that food brought or mailed into Taiwan for personal use is exempt from import inspection if each shipment is valued at no more than US$1,000 and weighs no more than 6 kilograms, provided other exemption requirements are met.

However, products imported for sale, or personal-use imports that exceed the exemption limits, must undergo import inspection under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, and violators face penalties, she said.