Denmark has today announced that several spicy ramen noodle products by South Korean company Samyang are to be recalled. The reason why? They’re so spicy they could poison people. Well, a couple of months ago we tried these super spicy noodles and while gallons of milk were needed, we survived.
Check out how they make Samyang and more in the video below.
There are three specific flavors of Samyang that the Danish authorities have recalled – the Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, the 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken, and the Hot Chicken Stew. These varieties are developed at Samyang’s Wonju factory, where we went and visited the manager Oh Seung-ryong, who gave us an insight into the history of Korean ramen and the process behind creating noodles. We also met Samyang’s Head of Flavor, who explained the development and testing of their concepts – concepts that until now had always been deemed okay.
It remains unknown if there were specific incidents in Denmark that triggered a review of Samyang’s products, but they have ruled that the capsaicin levels in the three flavors could potentially poison consumers.
In a statement, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration said the capsaicin in a single packet was “so high that they pose a risk of the consumer developing acute poisoning…If you have the products, you should discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased.”
Capsaicin is the chemical that gives chilis their burning sensation and is measured on the Scoville Scale. Although many people believe the spice from peppers comes from their seeds, the capsaicin is contained in the placenta, the tissue that holds the seeds.
Read More: What’s the hottest chili in the world? (Hint: it’s not the Carolina Reaper)
Samyang began producing the first instant noodles back in 1963 and has grown to be popular around the world. It said it planned to look at the local regulations before deciding its next move.
In a further statement given to the BBC, the company said: “We understand that the Danish food authority recalled the products, not because of a problem in their quality but because they were too spicy. The products are being exported globally. But this is the first time they have been recalled for the above reason.”
Unless you’re living in Denmark – a country admittedly not known for its fiery cuisine – you can still go and buy any Samyang product of your choosing. And if you like chili (and Great Big Stories), we think you might like the video below.
