Popular noodles taken off shelves

Supermarkets and convenience stores Wellcome, ParknShop and 7-Eleven removed all Indomie noodles from their shelves this week following reports that the noodles contain harmful chemicals.

Last Saturday, authorities in Taiwan recalled the brand after finding methyl paraben, a preservative commonly found in cosmetics, in the noodles.

Excessive intake of methyl paraben can affect the liver and cause poor appetite and stomach upset.

The agent for Indomie noodles said the product was tested in June and met local safety standards. The agent also suspects the noodles in Taiwan might be fakes.

News of the contamination scare was also reported in Hong Kong, where the brand is popular with Indonesian migrant workers and students.

The recall also sparked demonstrations in Indonesia by activists who accused the manufacturer, Indofoods, of producing tainted products.