The tests on Maggi noodles samples that were conducted by Nestle following the Bombay High Court order have been cleared. The company in a statement on Friday stated that all the 90 samples covering 6 variants were found safe after the testing in the three prescribed labs. The company says that hereafter, it will start the process to relaunch the product in the Indian market.
“We have received test results from all three laboratories mandated by the Bombay High Court to test Maggi noodles samples. All the 90 samples, covering 6 variants, tested by these laboratories are clear with Lead much below the permissible limits,” stated a spokesperson for the company.
The noodles were banned by apex food regulator FSSAI in June this year after some test reports found Maggi contained Lead and monosodium glutamate that was higher than permissible limits. The ban was contended in Bombay High Court by Nestle. The court set aside the ban and ordered fresh tests.
Meanwhile, the company added that Nestlé India always maintained that Maggi noodles were safe. The company conducted over 3,500 tests representing over 200 million packs in both national as well as international accredited laboratories and all reports were clear. In addition to these, various countries including USA, the UK, Singapore, and Australia found Maggi noodles manufactured in India safe for consumption.
Further, Nestlé will continue to collaborate with FSSAI, the apex food regulator, and other stakeholders. “In compliance with the orders of the Bombay High Court, we will now commence manufacture and start selling only after the newly manufactured products are also cleared by the designated three laboratories,” the company added.
It stated on the relaunching, “We are committed to reintroduce our beloved Maggi noodles at the earliest.”
NCDRC hearing
However, on Thursday,the NCDRC, while hearing a class suit filed by the department of consumer affairs, asked the company to conduct tests on Maggi samples. In a fresh hearing, the apex consumer court ordered tests on 13 samples of Maggi noodles from nine batches.
NCDRC said that the samples should be sent to the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysore in Karnataka after verifying the seal and samples in the court's presence. The samples will be collected from a godown in Lucknow.The commission said it would hear the application again on November 23 regarding the latest tests on Maggi samples.
