Now, TN to test Maggi to determine MSG, lead levels

Says Food Safety Department of Tamil Nadu has initiated proceedings

The Tamil Nadu government today said it will test noodle brand Maggi for levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead.

This follows reports of these contents exceeding their prescribed levels in tests conducted in Uttar Pradesh and some other parts of the country.

Uttar Pradesh and Kerala have already ordered retailers in their states to take the product off their shelves.

The Food Safety Department of Tamil Nadu has initiated proceedings in this regard, It is collecting samples and sending them to laboratories across the state to be examined, department officials said.

Tests would be conducted to establish if Maggi noodles contained MSG and lead in excess of the prescribed limits, they added.

The Central government had made it clear yesterday that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is testing more Maggi samples collected from different states following the detection of MSG and lead in excess of the prescribed limit in the noodles.

Last week, a case had been lodged against Nestle India by state food regulator FSDA in a local court at Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh over safety standards of Maggi, while actors Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta have also been dragged into it for promoting the 'two-minute' noodles brand.