[SEOUL=Health/Medical News] Lee Hee-sung , KFDA Commissioner, had a hard time at the parliamentary inspection concerning the issue of Nongshim noodle. Apart from the recall issue, the release of elucidation data prior to the inspection brought about worse results.
Representative Lee Un-ju, National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, DUP, criticized at parliamentary inspection 24 Oct, "Although the fact that Nongshim used inappropriate ingredients that contained a large quantity of carcinogen is the issue, KFDA was trying to manipulate media by releasing elucidation statement just before parliamentary inspection." She added, " Solution must come first, not explanation."
Prior to this, KFDA released an elucidation statement that the harm level of Nongshim noodle's carcinogen is not high enough to actually harm to human body.
She pointed out, " Even though KFDA was well aware of the gravity of the situation, it released the publicity that actual damage was not great." she added, "Such indiscreet behavior will raise the suspicion that KFDA and Nongshim are inappropriately related."
Rep. Nam Yun In-soon also criticized, "Consumers are confused over purchase of the products with KFDA release. There is no message showing KFDA's will in the publicity."
Lee, KFDA Commissioner, responded, "It was difficult for KFDA to pick out inappropriate products since 5 of 18 products met the standard. KFDA will again review the background, process, and result through investigation team tomorrow."
But this time, Rep. Oh Je-se fired, "KFDA brought confusion by releasing publicity even after it admitted its faults and promised to recall. It is not the proper attitude to parliamentary inspection to say tomorrow."
Rep. Oh also demanded an explanation about how the publicity came about.
He pressured the Commisioner by saying, "Perjury at parliamentary inspection will incur punishment. Did you get a direct report about the publicity release?"
Lee replied, "The elucidation publicity was intended for MBC News coverage and it was not KFDA's stance toward the questions by lawmakers." He promised that KFDA would review on how to recall and also release publicity about the recall. "
Representatives insisted, "Recall should be implemented through scrutiny on the products together with correcting faults, starting tomorrow."
Nongshim, meanwhile, ran daily newspaper ads 25 Oct saying that Nongshim udon products are safe to eat but concerning the news coverage about benzopyrene detection it apologizied."
-대한민국 의학전문지 헬스코리아뉴스-