At least six states including New Delhi have announced temporary bans on the sale of the instant noodles in the last few days, after officials said test results showed high lead levels. Like a mascot, Maggi is an iconic brand that symbolizes Nestlé’s Character in India.
In Delhi, Lead found in Maggi samples and it was seven times more than that of permissible limit. The FDA earlier had tested the samples drawn from local market and also one sample manufactured in Punjab.
Maggi noodles are a favorite with students, and Nestle’s “two-minute” advertising campaign stressing the ease of making the snack has made it a household name.
Maggi sales have plunged in India since laboratory tests ordered by some state governments showed the noodles contained lead at levels far higher than legally allowed.
“We have tested around 1,000 batches of Maggi Noodles in our own laboratories and also asked an independent lab to test an additional 600 product batches”. Monosodium glutamate, on the other hand, can damage the nervous system with long-term use and is particularly harmful to pregnant women and newborns.
Accordingly, vide an order issued today, FSSAI directed Nestle India to withdraw and recall all the nine approved variants of Maggi Instant Noodles from the market; and stop their further production, processing, import, distribution and sale.
FSSAI says that Nestle is responsible for three violations: the level of lead identified in the product exceeded the limit of 2.5 ppm, the labeling information on the package was misleading saying “No added MSG” and the release on the market without approval and risk assessment of non-standardized food (Maggi Oats Masala Noodles with Tastemaker).
The noodle brand is also popular in Nepal and available in departmental stores and shopping malls.
On the other hand, loyal customers who can’t imagine their day without Maggi noodles have been extending their support to their favorite “2 Minute snack”.
Maggi instant noodles account for more than 15 per cent of Nestle’s revenues in India. But after coming under fire for what domestic media said was a failure to react swiftly and decisively, the group said it would pull the product regardless, more than two weeks after food inspectors first reported their findings.
Nestle India chairman A Helio Waszak and managing director Etienne Benet wrote in their letter to shareholders, that ‘Good Food, Good Life’ is their mission. “We follow the same quality standards, safety procedures everyone in the world”, said Paul Bulcke, CEO of Nestle Worldwide.
