Nestle India says new tests find Maggi noodles safe

Says all 90 samples, covering six varieties, were safe for consumption

Nestle India on Friday said all samples of its Maggi noodles have cleared laboratory tests mandated by the Bombay High Court. The results potentially pave the way for the instant noodles brand -- which accounted for 30% of Nestle India's revenues -- to return to the market after it was banned in June over the suspected presence of excess lead and MSG. 

The company said it has received test results from all three laboratories mandated by the Bombay High Court in August, and that all 90 samples, covering six varieties, were safe for consumption.

Nestle India said it will now commence manufacturing and will sell "only after the newly manufactured products are also cleared by the designated three laboratories." 

The company, which had earlier said it was planning to bring back the Maggi noodles in the market by this year end, further said that it is committed to reintroducing Maggi noodles "at the earliest". 

Stressing that Maggi noodles are safe, Nestle India said it has "conducted over 3,500 tests representing over 200 million packs in both national as well as international accredited laboratories and all reports are clear". 

In addition to these, various countries including USA, UK, Singapore, Australia and others have found Maggi Noodles manufactured in India safe for consumption, it added. 

Nestle will continue to collaborate with the FSSAI, the apex food regulator and other stakeholders, the company said. 

In June, the FSSAI had banned Maggi noodles, saying it was "unsafe and hazardous" for consumption after finding lead levels beyond permissible limits. 

Subsequently, the company recalled the product on a nationwide basis, which cost it about 66 million Swiss francs ($67.42 million).