Maggi is facing a country-wide scrutiny over high content of lead and mono-sodium glutamate or MSG, a taste enhancer (Agence France-Presse photo)
Taking a cue from Delhi, four states - Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu -- have placed a temporary ban on Maggi noodles, which is under countrywide scrutiny. Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who has ordered safety checks on Maggi, said this was the first time suo motu cognizance was taken of such a matter.
Here are the latest developments:
Uttarakhand banned the popular snack "till further notice". Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir banned it for a month. Tamil Nadu banned Maggi for three months after its tests found lead twice above the permissible limit. Yesterday, Delhi banned Maggi for 15 days.
Maggi has been under scanner after it was allegedly found to have eight times the permissible limit of lead during a test by food safety authorities in Uttar Pradesh. Tests in certain states have arrived at similar results.
Other states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are testing the noodles following an advisory from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
"This is for the first time after Independence that suo motu cognizance in such matter has been taken and case referred to National Commission," said Mr Paswan. "The authorities will submit a report to the National Commission."
Delhi has ordered tests on all brands of noodles while placing a 15-day ban on Maggi. Nestle India, which manufactures the snack, has been asked to recall current stocks and make available fresh stock, which will be allowed on shelves only after proper checks.
West Bengal has ordered tests on Maggi noodles as well as popular snacks manufactured by other companies. "We had also got complaints about Kurkure and Lays so we are getting those tested as well," state Consumer Affairs Minister Sadhan Pande said.
The Army has already stopped the sale of Maggi in its canteens and has issued an advisory, asking soldiers to avoid it.
Most retailers in Mumbai have decided to play safe, pulling Maggi off shelves. So did Big Bazaar, the largest retail chain in India. Maharashtra is expecting its test results on Friday.
Some tests conducted in Kerala and Goa found Maggi safe. In Kerala, tests by officials under the Health Ministry showed permissible levels of lead. The results of the MSG test, and the tests conducted by Food ministry officials, are awaited. In Goa, the samples tested negative for MSG and lead.
Nestle India has said its tests show Maggi noodles is "safe to eat". It also said it has not received "any orders from any State/Centre FDA authorities to recall MAGGI Noodle products in the market except an order from the Uttar Pradesh FDA dated 30.04.2015 asking us to recall a batch of MAGGI Noodles manufactured in February, 2014".
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