Reliance Retail withdraws all instant noodles from stores

Reliance Retail today said it has temporarily withdrawn all instant noodle products from the shelves across 2,621 stores across India in the wake of Maggi controversy.

These products also include Sunfeast Yippee and Knorr brands.

"We believe that the uncertainty is unwarranted and undeserved. But it merits the launch of a robust, nationwide process of reassuring ourselves and our valued stakeholders," Reliance Retail CEO, Value Formats & Consumer Business, Damodar Mall said in a statement.

The company runs 2,621 stores in the country across 200 towns.

Reliance Retail's move follows the ban of Maggi by various states over alleged presence of lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) and subsequent withdrawal of the instant noodles from market by Nestle India last evening.

On its move to withdraw all instant noodle products from its stores, the company said: "This unprecedented step of going beyond a piece-meal approach is based on three basic commitments -- health and wellbeing of our customers and our unflinching commitment to stock only products of the highest assurance.

"Enlightened interest of our 11 partner companies whose products we stock and to remain in 100 per cent compliance of legal and regulatory processes across the country irrespective of individual jurisdictions."

The company said instant noodles have been returned to distribution centres and labeled as 'Not For Sale' and designated food safety officers have been informed of the action.

In Tamil Nadu, a memorandum on action taken is being presented to the Commissioner, Food Safety and other relevant authorities requested to share findings from their labs, the company said.

Earlier this week, Future group, Kendriya Bhandar, Walmart and Metro have taken Maggi off their retail and wholesale stores.