Ban on Maggi lifted temporarily. Conditions apply

In a major relief of Nestle India, the Bombay High Court today gave conditional relief to the Swiss company and lifted ban of Maggi noodles.

The court questioned the authority of FSSAI in banning Maggi and asked it to justify the ban, while ordering fresh tests to be conducted on the noodles.

Three labs have been asked to test samples of Maggi noodles within six weeks and as per the court. Nestle can start manufacturing Maggi if tests find lead within permissible limits.

Meanwhile, the US health regulator USFDA said its tests have found the lead level in the popular instant food within acceptable levels for US consumers.

In an e-mail statement, a USFDA spokesperson said that FDA tested a limited number of samples for lead contamination and did not find any levels that present a public health concern for US consumers, putting rumours to rest.

Recently, the government asked Nestle to pay damages of Rs 640 crore for selling "defective and hazardous" Maggi noodles.

Nestle India had recalled Maggi packets as MSG was found in the two-minute noodles and excess lead.

(Image: Indiatimes)