Kerala to test all brands of instant noodles

The Kerala government has decided to send all instant noodles' samples in the state for a laboratory test, a state minister said here on Friday, following concern over Maggi noodles and some states banning them.

Health Minister V.S.Sivakumar told IANS that this was being done as a matter of abundant precaution and to find out things in the best interest of the people.

"The authorities have already started collecting samples of all varieties of instant noodles that is being sold in our state. It has been decided to collect samples of each product from all the 14 districts in the state and it has begun," said Sivakumar.

The decision was taken in the wake of reports that food safety inspectors in Uttar Pradesh have filed a criminal complaint against Nestle's local arm after finding a high level of lead in some Maggi noodle packets.

"The first report of the test on the Maggi samples that was collected has proved to be negative but the more detailed reports are awaited as it would take a few days more," the minister added.

It was the state-owned Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) which first decided not to sell Maggi instant noodles at its outlets and it was followed up by the association of the bakery owners in the state.

State-owned Supplyco has 1,424 outlets across Kerala.