South Korea asks Philippines to lift ban on Korean noodles

MANILA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Friday asked the Philippines to immediately lift the ban it imposed on six Korean noodle brands after tests conducted on the noodles showed the products contained "extremely low" benzopyrene, a carcinogen.

In a statement issued by its embassy in Manila, Seoul said the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) tested the six noodle brands following reports that benzopyrene was detected in them.

"The KFDA conducted the test and issued a certificate dated Nov. 7 that the level of benzopyrene found in the noodle powder, which ranges from 0.4 to 1.6 (parts per billion), was extremely low and has no harmful effect on the human body," the embassy said.

Benzoyprene is a cancer-causing compound that is usually found in cigarettes and smoked food products.

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