Health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said only then would it decide on whether it would halt the sale of locally produced “Ah Lai White Curry Noodles” and “Indomie: Special Chicken Flavour” noodles from Indonesia, Berita Harian reported.

Earlier today, it was reported that Taipei had halted the sale of these two brands after its health department found that they contained ethylene oxide.

The chemical compound is associated with lymphoma and leukaemia, which could trigger birth and hereditary defects.

“If the tests we are running confirm the noodles do indeed contain ethylene oxide, we will halt their sale,” Zaliha was quoted as saying.

This evening, Fa E Fa Sdn Bhd — the Penang-based manufacturer that produces the white curry noodles — said it had sent its product for testing.

They expect the test results to be out in a week.

The company’s spokesman said the batch of noodles tested by Taipei’s health department was from last year. They are no longer being sold locally as the stocks have finished.