Indofood Shares Being Monitored

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) is monitoring PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk (INDF) and PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk (ICBP) shares over allegations that its Indomie instant noodles circulating in Taiwan contain harmful elements.     "For the time being, we are monitoring their developments, and the company has submitted a statement about the matter," BEI Corporate Assessment Director Eddy Sugito said here on Monday.     The Taiwanese media said last week the local authorities had recalled all Indomie instant noodles from the market because they allegedly contain methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and benzoic acid which are commonly used in the manufacture of cosmetics.

It is believed if people consume the materials, they will be at risk of vomiting. Also if they consume them regularly or in substantial amounts, they will suffer metabolic acidosis, or too much acid in their body.     In response to the media report, ICBP Director Taufik Wiraatmadja said in a press release issued earlier in the day Indomie instant noodles exported to Taiwan had met the standards set by the Taiwanese food security bureau.     He said ICBP had been exporting instant noodles to various countries for more than 20 years. The company always tried to ensure that its instant noodles complied with food safety requirements set by the countries where they were marketed, he said.

"ICBP should like to emphasize that its products are wholly compliant with the globally-accepted guidelines set by the CODEX Alimentarius Commission, the international food standards body," he said.     He said the company had checked the situation in Taiwan and would take necessary steps to protect consumers’ interests in Taiwan and the rest of the world.