By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JUNE 05, 2015: LENDING more fire to the raging controversy over the Maggi Noodles, the Ministry of Health today said that the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had advised Commissioners of Food Safety in various States to draw samples and get the same tested from authorized laboratories and the analysis reports received have revealed three following violations:

(i) Presence of lead in excess of the permissible level of 2.5 ppm

(ii) Misleading label of “No added MSG”

(iii) Release of “Maggi Oats Masala Noodles with Tastemaker” without risk assessment and grant of product approval.

The Company representatives were given a hearing last Thursday by the Chairman and CEO of FSSAI to seek their response in the matter. The Company contended that testing protocols had not been complied with; that the “No added MSG” label was fixed on account of lack of clarity and in accordance with industry practices; and that the Oat Noodles had been launched at a time when the advisory dated 11.5.2013 (on the subject of product approvals) had been stayed by the Court.

The above response was considered by FSSAI and not found to be satisfactory. The violations of the law have been held to be established.

Accordingly, vide Order dated 5.6.2015, FSSAI has directed the Company as follows:

(i) Withdraw and recall all the 9 approved variants of Maggi Instant Noodle from the market; and stop further production, processing, import, distribution and sale thereof.

(ii) Comply with the labeling regulations and remove the label of “No added MSG”.

(iii) Withdraw and recall the food product “Maggi Oats Masala Noodles with Tastemaker” and any other product for which risk assessment has not been undertaken and product approval granted.

(iv) Take appropriate action to re-ascertain the safety of its products in compliance of the obligation contained in Section 26 of the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006.

Meanwhile, as per media reports, Singapore has suspended sale of Maggi Noodles imported from India until test reports indicate otherwise.