By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

Two noodle makers were found making noodles with industrial ethanol and distributing them to restaurants in Seoul and the metropolitan area.

A 58-year-old head of a noodle-making company, identified as Jeong, was arrested on suspicions of making 390 tons of noodles with the chemical, which is banned from use in food, and supplying them to restaurants since April, according to the Korea Food and Drug Administration Friday.

The head of another food-production company, identified as Kim, 45, is also under investigation on similar charges.

Jeong allegedly used industrial ethanol, which is cheaper than ethanol allowed for consumption, in producing noodles for ``kalguksu'' (literally ``knife noodle''), ``udong'' (noodle soup), ``jajangmyeon'' (black bean noodle) and buckwheat noodles.

The industrial ethanol, made by distilling petroleum, is usually used for paint and ink, and can be harmful if consumed, as noxious substances such as benzene and methyl alcohol are included.

The products were sold at Japanese and shabu-shabu restaurants, and restaurants selling kalguksu and ``naengmyeon'' (cold buckwheat noodle).

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr