SEOUL, June 13 (AJU PRESS) - Three varieties of Korea's spicy instant noodles have been pulled out from shelves in Denmark this week. The recall affects food retailer Samyang's signature Buldak series - "3x Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen," "2x Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen," and "Hot Chicken Flavor Stew Ramen."
According to the Danish health authorities, the high levels of capsaicin in a single serving could pose a risk of "acute poisoning," especially to children. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration advised consumers to discard these products.
These chicken-flavored instant noodle soups are famous for their intensely spicy flavor and chewy texture. Their popularity surged globally with overseas sales accounting for nearly 75 percent of the company's total revenue in the first quarter of this year. At one point, they even faced supply shortage in the U.S. due to high demand.
The recall has sparked some heated debates here among spicy food enthusiasts, with many of them arguing that Denmark has simply a low tolerance for spiciness.
"The recall is not about the safety of our products themselves but the extreme spiciness," said a Samyang spokesman on Thursday. "We've exported these noodles worldwide, and this is the first time we've encountered a recall for this reason. We'll resolve the issue in accordance with local regulations in Denmark."