Stars may face action if Maggi samples tested negative

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is testing Maggi samples collected from various states after Uttar Pradesh’s food authority found Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) and access lead in the two-minute noodles.

The Indian Government said the reports will be out within next three days and if the reports turn out to be negative, brand ambassadors of Maggi would be liable for action in case advertisements are found to be misleading.

Additional Secretary, Consumer Affairs, G Gurucharan said that FSSAI had taken samples from all states. “Testings are being done. Some reports are expected today and within 2-3 days we will get complete reports,” he said.

He added that in case of any violation, FSSAI would initiate action.

"FSSAI has taken up the case, it will take action. We have already written to the FSSAI," said Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.
Paswan also said that no complaints from consumers were received yet.

Last week a case was registered against Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, asking her to explain the nutritional value in Maggi.

A huge furore broke out on April 30 when the food authorities in Lucknow asked Nestle to recall one batch of Maggi noodles after tests showed it contained seven times higher levels of lead than permissible and traces of Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) and high amounts of lead, more than the permissible limits that could cause harm to organs in our body.

Nestle defended it saying, the batch was manufactured in February 2014 and had reached the best-before date in November. One batch contains about 200,000 packs. As per a news report in The Economic Times the company has said its practice is to collect stock near the expiry date from distributors and retailers.

The company told the ET, it doesn't add MSG to Maggi noodles sold in India and this is stated on the product. "However, we use hydrolysed groundnut protein, onion powder and wheat flour to make Maggi noodles sold in India, which all contain glutamate. We believe that the authorities' tests may have detected glutamate, which occurs naturally in many foods," the company said.

(Image: Indiatimes)