Manufacturers wait with bated breath for test results.
By Dileep Thekkethil
BENGALURU: The ban slapped on Maggi Noodles in wake of gross violation of the food safety guidelines has triggered a chain reaction, bringing more instant food products under the scanner of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
According to reports, FSSAI has ordered for the edibility test of various instant food products such as noodles, macaroni and pasta, that are sold by brands like Top Ramen, Foodies, and Wai Wai. In total, seven manufacturers will come under the test, which will check the compliance of their products with the food safety guidelines of India.
FSSAI CEO YS Malik said in a letter to commissioners of food safety in all states and UTs “Various test results on Maggi and some other similar products have raised serious health concerns. In view of the same, it would be advisable to draw regulatory samples for similar products for which product approvals have been granted by the FSSAI…These samples should be sent to the authorised labs for testing,”
According to FSSAI’s new order, samples of various instant food products of the companies such as Nestle India, ITC, Indo Nissin Food Ltd, GSK Consumer Healthcare, CG Foods India, Ruchi International and AA Nutrition Ltd. will be scrutinized in labs.
CG Foods CEO GP Sah was quoted by The Times of India saying, “Our brands meet all regulatory standards as listed by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. We are not closed to any tests and will cooperate with authorities if required.”
Manufacturers whose products will be tested in the coming days expressed confidence in the safety standards of the products.
The whole controversy loomed after Utter Pradesh government found an excess amount of lead and MSG in the popular instant noodles brand Maggi. Following the revelation, many states including Delhi, conducted food safety tests and later banned the sales of Maggi Noodles until further orders.
Now, the FSSAI order for the lab test of all major instant food brands has literally shocked the lower and middle class society in India, who major consumers of these products.