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Samyang: Denmark recalls Korean ramen for being too spicy (www.bbc.com)
submitted 5 months ago by Stopthatgirl7@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world
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Three fiery flavours of the Samyang instant ramen line are being withdrawn: Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken and Hot Chicken Stew.

Denmark's food agency issued the recall and warning on Tuesday, urging consumers to abandon the product.

It's unknown if any specific incidents have prompted the Danish authorities into taking action.

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[-] HejMedDig@feddit.dk 66 points 5 months ago

They were recalled because the level of Capsaicin has caused symptoms of poisoning in younger individuals. A consumer asked the board of food and safety if it was really allowed to sell the strong variants. They looked at them, and measured that they contained even more Capsaicin than the Hot Chip Challenge, which has caused hospitalizations in Germany. Combined with it being a TikTok/Instagram trend to try and eat them, food and safety decided to recall them

I really like the stew ones, x3 were just dumb

[-] ccunning@lemmy.world 14 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

They were recalled because the level of Capsaicin has caused symptoms of poisoning in younger individuals

~~Is it really “poisoning” if some subset of consumers can’t eat something?~~ Ok. It’s poisoning. Y’all really focusing on this part of my comment. We all know “the dose makes the poison” though. So “poisons” are clearly allowed to be sold as food.

Like if some Danes are severely allergic to shellfish are they going to pull all crabs off the market?

If it’s temporary until labeling standards can be defined and implemented, that makes sense to me but just blanket removal seems like an overreaction.

[-] ggppjj@lemmy.world 14 points 5 months ago

To the doctor treating a patient, they don't care about the legal definition. A poisoned patient is a poisoned patient.

Additionally, "causing symptoms of" a thing is a very different statement from "causing". Covid causes symptoms of the flu, for example.

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[-] HejMedDig@feddit.dk 6 points 5 months ago

If it causes you to get nauseous and throw up, I would call it poisoning

[-] awesome_lowlander@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 5 months ago

If I eat a kilo of cheese and puke, can we ban cheese from the market?

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[-] Chee_Koala@lemmy.world 6 points 5 months ago

I had a 1x spicy variant from these producers and it was pretty intense but still enjoyable, and I'm used to some heat but normally try to stay below 100.000 Scoville (ish) to still have fun. I can imagine if you are used to nothing spicywise and try their 3x spicy stuff you might get poisoning. Maybe the time is ripe to have a global rating or warning label for spicy foods. Everyone always already tries to convey the spicyness-level, especially for guests/tourists and such. Why not try to make a standard for spicy warnings, you could even have region variability like in clothing labels.

[-] Enkers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I found the x2 were pretty tasty, but it'd be unpleasant for a few hours before the ring of fire, and that'd usually disrupt my sleep a bit, so it wasn't worth it. I just went with the regular spice level instead. I haven't tried the x3, but it seems like it's getting a bit silly by that point.

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[-] notaviking@lemmy.world 36 points 5 months ago

This is like the best advertisement ever for the brand. Like they get the infamy without killing someone, basically became certified cool like the warning sticker on music albums in the 90s

[-] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 33 points 5 months ago

I tried these noodles once, and once only. They have more in common with riot control agents than with actual food, and there’s no reason to eat them other than to demonstrate toughness.

I’m not saying Denmark is right in banning them, but they shouldn’t be sold alongside food. Perhaps keep them in a locked cabinet behind the counter, next to fireworks and such.

[-] sanpedropeddler@sh.itjust.works 15 points 5 months ago

Unless it is demonstrated to be genuinely dangerous, it should be sold as normal. If no one liked them, they wouldn't sell.

[-] PsychologicalCannabis@lemmy.world 7 points 5 months ago

https://feddit.dk/comment/8769989

Turns out they were demonstrated

[-] awesome_lowlander@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 5 months ago

Yeah, in the same sense that peanuts are dangerous to some people...

[-] sanpedropeddler@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Ok, then I agree it shouldn't be sold anywhere.

[-] jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 5 months ago

Let's ban peanuts, shrimp and milk too, some people will also get poisoning symptoms from them too.

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[-] CitizenKong@lemmy.world 12 points 5 months ago

I tried them too recently and I really like spicy food, but they were just nasty.

[-] awesome_lowlander@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 5 months ago

Yeah, alongside whatever other foods from other cultures that we dislike!

[-] MagicShel@programming.dev 4 points 5 months ago

I was inspired to eat one now (different flavor so probably not as spicy). The spice is fine but the noodles are gross. I think I'm just going to use the flavor packets with Top or Maruchan ramen.

[-] setsneedtofeed@lemmy.world 4 points 5 months ago

Frozen tteokbokki takes slightly longer to make, but is worth a few extra minutes.

I like the Ktown Mad Spicy as a pretty consistent go-to. You can make your own and go even hotter, but of course less convenient than frozen.

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[-] sushibowl@feddit.nl 4 points 5 months ago

The regular ones are one of my favorite ramen packet brands. I've never tried the 2x or 3x spicy types. I could see 2x being good because you definitely build up a tolerance and I find the normal ones don't quite give the same kick anymore. 3x seems excessive but who knows.

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[-] Deceptichum@sh.itjust.works 24 points 5 months ago

I had the (I think) black packet/hottest once and it was so boring. There’s no flavour behind the heat, very disappointing.

[-] tiramichu@lemm.ee 13 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I've basically decided to give up on Buldak.

I like spicy food, generally, but I ate the black one too and it was all spice and no taste.

I then tried one that was supposed to be cheese flavour (and not even the spicy cheese flavour, just regular normal cheese) and that was also somehow just spicy in a really boring way.

[-] Kanzar@sh.itjust.works 5 points 5 months ago

The pink carbo one isn't bad. Definitely has other flavours in there, not just spicy. That said, I also don't add the entire sachet of hot sauce...

[-] IamSparticles@lemmy.zip 4 points 5 months ago

There is no Buldak flavor that isn't spicy. They all start with the same "hot chicken" base flavoring, then have additional flavorings added. The 2x and 3x varieties just have more capsaicin in the base. Like, a LOT more. I bought a 4 pack of 2x by mistake (thought it was original) and had to force myself to finish a bowl. It was painful. The regular spicy versions I would consider to be about the equivalent of a bowl of ramen with a few dashes of a relatively spicy hot sauce. Tasty and not unpleasant for me at all. But everyone's tolerance levels are different.

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[-] trashgirlfriend@lemmy.world 7 points 5 months ago

What are you talking about, that stuff is delicious

[-] WEFshill202@lemmy.world 5 points 5 months ago

I know right, they're my favorite specifically because theyre not just spicy but delicious too! Especially the cheese one.

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[-] grrgyle@slrpnk.net 16 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

My partner loves these and can't understand how I find them painfully spicy. Like sure there's some enjoyment to be had while slurping away, but as soon as I'm done the wheel of pain starts to turn and my body rebels against the assault with every cell seemingly screaming in unison

I suppose it's my own fault. I mean look at the packaging: that's a warning

[-] chemicalprophet@lemm.ee 5 points 5 months ago

I don’t even find them that spicy but they fuck my butthole and accessories up.

[-] Leg@lemmy.world 4 points 5 months ago

Yup. I mentally prepare myself for the oncoming battle with death over the porcelain throne every time I decide to indulge in demon ramen. I've made peace with this part of my life.

[-] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world 16 points 5 months ago

Dansk Fødevarestyrelse: bans product containing poisonous amounts of popular chemical

Rest of the world: laughs at Denmark for "not being able to handle spicy food" 🙄

Painful exposures to capsaicin-containing peppers are among the most common plant-related exposures presented to poison centers.[31] They cause burning or stinging pain to the skin and, if ingested in large amounts by adults or small amounts by children, can produce nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and burning diarrhea. Eye exposure produces intense tearing, pain, conjunctivitis, and blepharospasm.[32]

Ingestion of high quantities of capsaicin can be deadly,[37] particularly in people with heart problems.[38] Even healthy young people can suffer adverse health effects like myocardial infarction after ingestion of capsaicin capsules.[39]

[-] awesome_lowlander@lemmy.dbzer0.com 20 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Negative reactions to capsaicin generally only happen when people who are unused to spicy foods ingest something too spicy for their level of tolerance. So yes, this is Denmark "not being able to handle spicy food". The problem here is probably people with zero tolerance trying to eat it as a 'challenge'.

[-] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world 6 points 5 months ago

Negative reactions to capsaicin generally only happen when people who are unused to spicy foods ingest something too spicy for their level of tolerance

That's a common misconception. One that leads to many poisonings of "seasoned veterans" every year.

So yes, this is Denmark "not being able to handle spicy food

No, this is the Danish food agency doing their job of minimizing preventable food poisoning.

The problem here is probably people with zero tolerance trying to eat it as a 'challenge'.

Again with the common misconception. No matter how many times you've heard people who love spicy food say that doesn't make it true and neither does YOUR repeatedly claiming it.

[-] DudeImMacGyver@sh.itjust.works 15 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Oh, no! Send it to me, I'll take care of it.

I say this having just finished a big bowl of noodles, pork, onions, carrots, and cabbage doused in sriracha

[-] setsneedtofeed@lemmy.world 18 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

You might have a high spice tolerance, I don't know, but if you are exemplifying Sriracha as an example, I would suggest caution. Korean spicy food doesn't play when it says things like "2x heat!" on the package.

Sriracha is about 2200SHU, the recalled noodles are 10,000SHU.

If you enjoy Korean red paste, it's a good heat, but some people don't quite know what they are getting into. If you're used to eating 100k or 200k SHU stuff, go for it, but I know there's a lot of tolerance variation from 2k to 200k people.

[-] PsychedSy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 5 months ago

SHU is weird anyway. I've tried toothpick drops of the Source (7.1m) and it wasn't all that bad, but a good chili oil will fuck me. There are a lot of variables. How it coats your mouth and what you're having with it matters a lot, too.

[-] setsneedtofeed@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

It's true that it's an imperfect measurement, but it is the closest to a useful illustration that I have.

I'm trying to avoid the whole one upping thing while just warning that if Sriracha is given an example of peak spicy, I'd caution to start slow on Korean hot foods that are labeled with extreme packaging. Not saying don't try, but small bites to check instead of diving in.

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[-] DudeImMacGyver@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 months ago

Sriracha is pretty tame IMO, but I appreciate the well informed warning (other people reading this might too).

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[-] todd_bonzalez@lemm.ee 8 points 5 months ago

This stuff is not that spicy. I mean, yeah, it's a lot hotter than most hot foods, but if you're worried about being "poisoned", this ain't it. You'd need to just be eating lots of straight seasoning packets, and you'll probably poison yourself with salt well before ingesting a health-threatening amount of chili pepper...

[-] AI_toothbrush@lemmy.zip 8 points 5 months ago

I tried the spiciest one and yeah it was insanely hot but nothing else. It was like eating noodles with capsaicin, no flavour at all.

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[-] SnotFlickerman 8 points 5 months ago

In related news, US consumers were reported to have been hoarding Samyang instant Spicy & Hot ramen while watching episodes of Hot Ones.

[-] cm0002@lemmy.world 8 points 5 months ago

So any folks out there in Denmark, feel free to send those to me...for..."disposal"

[-] oKtosiTe@lemmy.world 7 points 5 months ago

From the Buldak flavors I’ve tried, I’d be much more worried about the sodium levels than capsaicin. Instant noodles commonly contain more than half of your daily recommended maximum salt intake in a single packet.

I’ve really enjoyed the flavors I’ve tried so far, but do consider them an unhealthy snack and eat no more than one per week.

[-] Obi@sopuli.xyz 4 points 5 months ago

Yep they'll be bad on sodium, though overall in terms of calories etc they're not the worst thing ever.

Here I can find cups with healthy stuff in them instead, pasta, lentils, etc, so it's possible to keep the convenience and substitute with healthier alternatives.

[-] IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world 6 points 5 months ago

Nanny state.

[-] loaExMachina@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 months ago

I think these noodles may have given me diarrhea, but it's also possible I just happened to have it for another reason. Either way I'm not in Denmark, so that wasn't the incident.

[-] CarbonatedPastaSauce@lemmy.world 4 points 5 months ago

I’ve had that one, in an import variety pack I bought in the states.

It did not fuck around. Was good. And my tastebuds grew back eventually.

[-] ChaoticEntropy@feddit.uk 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Pretty sure I had some of the 3x last week, though I didn't finish them. They were pretty spicy yes but also they just didn't taste very nice, it didn't seem worth it.

[-] iAvicenna@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago

I mean the logo has a crying chicken on it so yea

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this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2024
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