Samples being collected from all states to test for high lead content.
By Dileep Thekkethi
BENGALURU: Nestle India is in more trouble as samples of Maggi Noodles collected by India’s Food and Drug Administration (FDI) from parts of Delhi reported high level of lead content in laboratory tests.
The new report intensifies the FDI’s claim that Maggi Noodles is unsafe for consumption. It has raised concern in other states that still haven’t banned the product.
The Delhi government was quick to reprimand Nestle for selling an unsafe product that is largely consumed by youngsters. Government authorities also confirmed that the lab report has revealed that Maggi samples were ‘unsafe’.
It is believed that 13 samples of Maggi Noodles were collected from different parts of Delhi for the lab test, out of which 10 samples had high levels of lead content. After more state governments took the samples of Maggi Noodles for the lab test, the Delhi government is now collecting samples from all states to test whether Nestle India failed to adhere to the food safety standards in Maggi Noodles pan-India.
The government has come out strongly against Nestle India saying that if they are found violating food safety standards, strict action will be initiated against the Indian division of the Swiss multinational food company.
Causing more headaches to Nestle India is the decision of the Kerala government to temporarily ban Maggi Noodles in Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation outlets.
The FDA branch in Uttar Pradesh was the first to find harmful metals such as lead and monosodium glutamate above permissible levels in Maggi Noodles.
A Maggi spokesperson said via its official Facebook page it’s normal for lead to occur in agricultural produce as it is present naturally in soil and water.
In the meanwhile Nestle India has started an online campaign denying the finding of the lab test. The campaign reads:
“Dear MAGGI Fans,
We understand that you are concerned by reports that the authorities in Uttar Pradesh have found elevated levels of lead in a pack of MAGGI Noodles.
As a responsible company, we submitted samples of MAGGI Noodles from almost 600 product batches to an external laboratory for independent analysis and we tested samples from almost 1000 batches at our own accredited laboratory. These samples represent around 125 Million (12.5 Crore) packets. All the results of these internal and external tests show that lead levels are well within the limits specified by food regulations.
You can continue to enjoy your favourite MAGGI noodles as always!â€
Anyhow, the news about the safety of Maggi Noodles, which is one of the most popular instant food products in India, has impacted the company’s reputation adversely. The fortunes of the company are tied to the product. The noodles brand alone generates 30% of the company’s total revenue.If it’s banned in India, the company will totter financially.