FSSAI to test other noodle brands; pasta, macaroni on radar

A day after banning Maggi noodles, food safety regulator FSSAI on Saturday said it will test samples of instant noodles across brands to ensure food safety.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it will also examine branded pasta and macaroni products while asserting that it's not considering any action against brand ambassadors as of now.

"We will check all other instant noodles brands as well. Why should we restrict to one brand? We are drawing samples of other noodles brand," FSSAI CEO Yudhvir Singh Malik told PTI.

While he did not name the brands, popular products include ITC's Sunfeast Yippee, HUL's Knorr and Nissin Foods' Top Ramen and Wai Wai from Nepal's Chaudhary Group.

"On Monday, we will publish names of all brands of instant noodles, macaroni and pasta which have taken approval from FSSAI to sell their products. Samples of those brands will be collected for testing," Malik said.

"The brands or products that have not taken approval are unauthorised and an action would be contemplated against them," he said, adding "there would be many brands which have not taken approval from FSSAI".

On Friday, FSSAI had banned all variants of Nestle India's Maggi noodles, terming them as "unsafe and hazardous" for human consumption.

Asked about action against brand ambassadors, Malik said "not right now" and they must be given "benefit of doubt".

He, however, said the consumer affairs ministry can take action against the brand ambassadors.

"They may or may not have an idea about the ingredients of the product, but they should be sensitised and be aware about the product they are promoting," he added.

Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta have been dragged into the Maggi controversy after food inspectors in UP found excess lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the noodles.

Asked if FSSAI is looking to test other FMCG products, Malik said: "If we receive any complaint, we are open to that.