US FDA clears Nestle's Maggi noodles

The US regulator, after conducting tests to detect lead in the noodles, found it to be safe for human consumption

Following the steps of regulatory agencies in Singapore, Canada and Britain, that of America has declared Nestle’s flagship Maggi instant noodles safe for consumption.

Asked by this newspaper to clarify after a statement by the company, a spokesperson of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in America said in an e-mailed response: “Following news reports about alleged lead levels... (we) tested a limited number of samples of the products...and did not find any levels that present a public health concern for US consumers.”

Read more from our special coverage on "NESTLE MAGGI CONTROVERSY"

• Relief for Nestle as Bombay HC sets aside ban on Maggi noodles
• Nestle disappointed over Centres class action suit
• Unlike Nestle, milk cooperatives and FSSAI negotiate truce early
• FSSAI seizes 200 quintals of Maggi from Lucknow warehouse
• Centre set to seek Rs 426 cr in damages from Nestle

The US is the seventh country to declare Maggi noodles non-hazardous for consumption.

Since the issue of presence of higher than permissible levels of lead (more than 2.5 parts per million) had surfaced in May, the food regulator in India and Nestle have been at loggerheads. Currently, litigation is underway at the high court in Mumbai over the issue on June 5 of a country-wide recall of all variants of Maggi by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

And, the Union ministry of consumer affairs, food & public distribution has filed a class action suit against Nestle India, claiming Rs 640 crore in damages, for alleged unfair trade practices and sale of defective goods. It has been filed before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, "on behalf of the large number of consumers of Maggi in the country", the department of consumer affairs said on Wednesday.