Denmark has prohibited the sale of certain varieties of a popular South Korean instant noodle brand due to their excessively spicy nature, warning that the intense spice could result in poisoning.

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration announced on Tuesday that it recalled Samyang Foods' noodles because their capsaicin content is "so high that it poses a risk of acute poisoning for consumers."

The recall affects the Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken, and Hot Chicken Stew varieties of ramen, which are no longer allowed to be sold in Danish stores.

The agency advised consumers who have purchased these products to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase.

“Large amounts of chili pose a particular risk to children and vulnerable adults. Symptoms can include a burning sensation, nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure,” explained Henrik Dammand Nielsen, head of the Chemistry and Food Quality Division. “As a result, we are instructing stores to remove these items from their shelves.”

Extremely spicy noodles may pose an acute poisoning danger. Noodle dishes marketed as extremely spicy can no longer be sold, as consumers, especially children, are at risk of acute poisoning. Products under the name Samyang Buldak 3X Spicy are included. #dkfood #dkbiz

”Can you… pic.twitter.com/jKAfeOKrXn

— Fødevarestyrelsen (@Foedevare) June 11, 2024

Nielsen noted that the capsaicin concentration in these noodles is even higher than in chili chips, which have caused several poisoning incidents among children in Germany.

“It is crucial that parents are mindful of these extreme noodle varieties and avoid them,” he added.

The announcement sparked a wave of humorous responses on social media, with many joking about the Danish people's low tolerance for spicy food.

Danish cuisine typically doesn't feature a lot of spices, with traditional foods including poached cod, open-face sandwiches, and frikadeller, which are meatballs.

Samyang Foods, headquartered in Seoul, has yet to respond to requests for comment.

South Korea’s export market for instant noodles has experienced double-digit growth annually in recent years, driven by the rising global popularity of Korean dramas and films.

Samyang Foods is a significant contributor to these exports, which reached $270 million in the first quarter of 2024 alone.

Sales of South Korean ramen abroad hit a record $108.6 million in April, a nearly 50% increase from the previous year, as reported by the Korea Customs Service.