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There are certain (and by certain I mean “largely Caucasian”) cultures that have a reputation for being unable to tolerate spicy foods, and Denmark certainly isn’t doing itself any favors by banning the sale of some ramen noodles for packing too much of a punch.
Like many people who’ve endured a Broke College Kid phase, I’ve downed my fair share of ramen noodles. There weren’t really that many different options to choose from when I endured that particular period in my life, and as someone who was forced to settle for relatively bland chicken and beef-flavored offerings, I would’ve killed for some of the more exciting options that are much easier to track down nowadays.
I can’t say I’m intimately familiar with the Korean ramen brand Buldak (which is produced by parent company Samyang Foods), but it’s apparently amassed a sizeable following thanks in no small part to the spicy options that have become a hit with customers over the past decade or so.
According to the BBC, Buldak recently encountered a bit of a setback courtesy of the folks tasked with regulating food in Denmark, as three varieties of its ramen (specifically 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken, and Hot Chicken Stew) have been hit with a de facto ban in the country after officials announced a recall stemming from concerns about the levels of capsaicin (the substance found in peppers responsible for giving them a kick) they contain.
The outlet reports the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration says the levels are high to a point where “they pose a risk of the consumer developing acute poisoning” while instructing anyone who’s bought the ramen to return it to the store where it was purchased (a representative for the brand says it plans to take a closer look at local regulations for issuing a more concrete response).
It’s worth noting fears about excessive levels of capsaicin aren’t entirely unfounded. Last year, a teenager in Massachusetts passed away after attempting the “One Chip Challenge,” and an autopsy that was conducted after the company behind the viral product pulled it from shelves asserted the substance contributed to his death.
Denmark (specifically Copenhagen) is home to what is widely considered one of the best restaurants on the planet in the form of Noma, so it would be foolish to try to dunk on its culinary scene.
With that said, the cuisine Danes are known for isn’t exactly built on a foundation of spiciness, so it’s a bit hard not to judge the people who made this decision when you consider there aren’t any other countries that have resorted to similar measures.