Bachchan, Madhuri, Zinta may be in a soup for endorsing Maggi

Nestle: internal and external tests show lead levels within limits specified

Widening its probe into alleged lapses of food-safety standards in Maggi noodles, the government on Monday said it was testing samples from all states and action will be taken for any violation, including against brand ambassadors of the famous brand of Nestle. The tests are being done by the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and the reports are expected in two to three days.

Brand ambassadors, which include stars Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, and Preity Zinta, may face action if found misleading consumers. Nestle's brand is under the scanner after dangerous levels of lead and monosodium glutamate were reported in Maggi by the Uttar Pradesh Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Though the main action is being taken by FSSAI, we have powers to take action against those involved in misleading advertisements," said G Gurucharan, additional secretary in the department of consumer affairs.

Action can be initiated against those involved in misleading advertisements under the Cable and Television Act, and Food Safety and Standards Act.

Nestle said in a statement: "We understand consumers are concerned by reports the authorities in Uttar Pradesh have found elevated levels of lead in a sample pack of Maggi noodles. We are fully cooperating with the authorities who are conducting further tests and we are awaiting their results. We have also given samples of Maggi noodles from almost 600 product batches to an external laboratory for independent analysis and we tested samples from almost 1,000 batches at our accredited laboratory. These samples represent around 125 million packets. All the results of these internal and external tests show lead levels are well within the limits specified by food regulations and Maggi noodles are safe to eat. We are sharing these results with the authorities."

The statement said the company regularly monitors all raw material for lead, including testing by accredited laboratories, which have consistently shown levels in Maggi noodles to be within permissible limits.

"The quality and safety of our products are the priorities for our company," the statement added.

Meanwhile, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said, "In the case of Maggi, we have gathered information. The UP FDA has investigated and they have found monosodium glutamate and lead. Now, FSSAI has taken up the issue. It will take the action."

"The consumer affairs ministry has referred the case to National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for class action suit," he added.

While Bachchan on Monday said he no more endorses the brand, Dixit recently met Nestle officials and said the company has assured her about the quality of the product.