Odisha sends samples of Maggi noodles for testing

Amid the nationwide outrage over unacceptably high levels of lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in Nestles Maggi noodles, the state government has sent samples of the instant snack to an accredited lab in Pune.

So far, two states have banned sales of Maggi noodles. We have sent samples collected from different districts and have sent them to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) accredited Central Food Laboratory at Pune for testing. The FSSAI had asked for the samples, said secretary, health & family welfare, Arati Ahuja.

As many as 25 samples of the instant noodles have been collected from 14 districts of the state.

Our food lab is not well equipped to determine if lead and MSG levels in Maggi noodles are within the permissible limits. The 600 AA Spectro-Photometer needed for sample analysis is out of order. Hence, the collected samples have been despatched to FSSAI lab, Pune, said Babaji Charan Das, food safety commissioner (Odisha).

Shares of food company, Nestle India that owns Maggi noodles, slumped 11.5 per cent on the backdrop of a crackdown on its content. Maggi noodles contribute over 20 per cent to Nestles revenues and a ban on the product could cause a huge dent to the companys bottom line. Sales of the once favourite snack have plummeted with the Future Group taking Maggi noodles off sales menu at its outlets.

Kerala has ordered a pullout of Maggi noodles from government-run outlets, while Delhi has declared the instant food unsafe after sample testing. Tests on the instant noodles are underway in other states like Haryana, Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka and Goa.

The FSSAI ordered nationwide tests after Union food minister Ram Vilas Paswan directed the regulator to do so.