FSSAI directs Nestle to withdraw nine Maggi variants

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday directed Nestle India to withdraw nine variants of Maggi noodles found unsafe from the market and to stop the further production and sale of the same.

The order to Nestle states that the regulatory body has noted three 'major violations', namely the presence of lead detected in the product in excess of the maximum permissible levels; misleading labelling information on the package reading 'No added MSG'; and thirdly the release of a non-standardised food product 'Maggi Oats Masala Noodles with Tastemaker' in the market, without risk assessment and grant of product approval.

The order further stated that with regards to the issue of 'Maggi Oats Masala Noodles', the company representatives stated that it had been launched at a time when an advisory was under stay granted by the court. They stated they would comply with the directions of the food authority in this behalf.

The company also stated that the 'No added MSG' on its label was on account of lack of clarity in the regulation and that it would rectify the labels if it was interpreted as a case of mislabelling.

In response to Nestle's statements, the FSSAI has further directed the company to rectify the 'No added MSG' label and to comply with the related labelling regulations in this behalf forthwith.

Nestle has also been ordered to withdraw and recall 'Maggi Oats Masala Noodles' and any other food product for which risk assessment has not been undertaken with immediate effect.

The regulatory body has also called upon Nestle to show cause within a period of 15 days as to why the Product Approval granted not be withdrawn and to submit a compliance report within three days and furnish progress reports on the recall process on a daily basis thereafter till the process is completed.