The craze of K-dramas and Korean food has transcended borders. Looking at actors savouring kimchi, ramen, bibimbap, tteokbokki, japchae, and more, K-dramas made its viewers curious about the cuisine, and soon instant Korean noodles took over supermarkets across the globe. But Denmark has banned three varieties of instant noodles.
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The food authorities in Denmark did not find any poisonous substance or chemicals in these noodles yet the department says that they can cause poisoning. However, the manufacturers have hit back and responded to the ban saying they did not violate any rules.
Why Did Denmark Ban Korean Noodles?
You cannot forget the first time you try any flavour of Korean noodles. Though India is known for its spices and spicy food, Indians find Korean noodles hot. Similar is the case across the world. If you are used to eating spicy food, you can find it difficult to finish the bowl of ramen without gulping down an entire bottle of water.
People in Denmark are no different. Danish cuisine is known for its subtle flavours. Natives are not used to eating chilli food as much as Koreans. Therefore, the food authorities have banned Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, Hot Chicken Stew, and 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken manufactured by Samyang Foods. Calling them villains, the department added that the flavour packets in these instant noodles contain an insane amount of capsaicin, which is an active ingredient in chilli peppers.
According to Denmark officials, consuming a high amount of chilli poses ‘risks of acute poisoning’. The authorities have instructed the citizens that they should return the banned noodles to the supermarket or store from where they purchased them. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration issued a special warning for children and asked parents to contact the country-wide Poison Line if their kids start showing symptoms of poisoning.
Ramen Manufacturers Hit Back
Hitting back at the ban, Samyang Foods has said that they have done nothing wrong. Clarifying the spiciness of noodles, they said that it is the first time that their noodles have been recalled from the market.
The manufacturer also added that they have been exporting their products around the world, and only Denmark has called them off. They are claiming that their products are of high quality. Many social media users have pointed out that they have been eating spicy food as a stress buster, while others have say that Danish citizens have low tolerance for heat.
What is interesting to note is that no matter which country you belong to or whatever may be your dietary preference, heat from chilli peppers can irritate the digestive tract and lead to a variety of health ailments like diarrhoea, stomach ache, vomiting, etc. Nutritionists also suggest eating less spicy food in summer because it causes the body to produce heat and can lead to dehydration.