Goa FDA collects more noodle samples for testing

Goa Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Wednesday collected for testing four more samples of packed instant noodles sold in the state, an official statement said on Wednesday.

In all, more than a dozen noodle brands are under FDA's scanner, ever since the controversy surrounding the lead and MSG content in Nestle's Maggi noodles broke out nationwide earlier this month.

"Today, FDA food safety officers have drawn additional four samples of noodles and one wafer crisp chocolate products which includes Indo Nissin, Top Ramen, Super Noodles and Wai Wai brand," the agency said in a formal statement issued here on Wednesday.

After initially giving a go-ahead to Nestle's Maggi, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, on June 7, banned the product after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a central government agency, said the tests conducted by the Goa FDA were not appropriate.

Since then, the FDA has collected as many as 37 packed food samples, including packed noodles, and are in the process of conducting tests.