For now, UP not contemplating ban on Maggi

State FDA had directed Nestle India to recall batch, which was complied

Amid the nationwide action against Nestle India over its instant noodle brand Maggi, Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) is still not considering a ban on the product even as several states have already done so.

A batch of Maggi collected by the Barabanki district unit of FDA from Easy Day retail outlet during a routine checking in March 2014 was found to be containing lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) above the permissible limit in lab tests.

Later, the FDA had directed Nestle India to recall the batch, which was complied with by the company.

FDA has already filed a court case against six persons/companies, including Nestle and Easy Day, in a Barabanki local court, which posted the next hearing on July 1.

Another case was also filed by a local lawyer against top Bollywood actors including Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dikshit and Priety Zinta for endorsing Maggi as a safe and nutritious food. This case would be heard on June 19.

"As of now, we are not contemplating to ban Maggi in UP as we have already taken action in the matter and ordered for the recall of the batch," UP FDA Commissioner P K Singh told Business Standard.

Meanwhile, the various district units of FDA in the state have been collecting samples of Maggi for further checking to ensure they are safe for consumption.

"As a precaution, we are collecting the subsequent batches of Maggi for lab testing and it has been kept under our constant surveillance," he added.