The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has said its ban on Nestle's Maggi noodles stands, dismissing the all-clear given by fresh laboratory tests.
Reports surfaced yesterday (5 August) that an FSSAI-approved laboratory had cleared Nestle Maggi noodles of containing levels of lead above those allowed under Indian regulations. The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) carried out tests on samples of Maggi noodles provided by the Goa state food safety authority. The tests found the product is in compliance with India's regulatory requirements.
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Responding to the news, India's federal food safety body insisted: "FSSAI has not given any clean chit regarding the safety of Maggi noodles."
The FSSAI said the fresh tests were carried out following a mistake from the CFTRI over the allowable lead content of the initial batch of product tested, the results of which were received on 1 June. While the second set of tests confirmed "lead has been found to be within permissible limits" the FSSAI insisted it has "no bearing" on its order, dating from 5 June, prohibiting the sale of Maggi noodles in India.
Nestle and the FSSAI are engaged in a legal battle over the ban. Both parties have put their arguments before the High Court in Bombay. Last week, the court, having heard arguments from both sides, decided to reserve its judgement pending further testing of Maggi products.
A spokesperson for Nestle said because the matter is sub-justice the company is unable to comment further. "The arguments before the Hon’ble High Court have concluded and the judgement is reserved."
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By GlobalDataIn its statement released yesterday, the FSSAI also commented on the fact various international food safety authorities – including in the UK and Singapore – have concluded Maggi noodles manufactured in India and exported to the countries do not contain excess levels of lead. The FSSAI said it has requested copies of these tests from Nestle – but claimed the company has not provided them "stating that they do not have this information".
The FSSAI also stressed the noodles for export markets were produced by Nestle at its plant in Bicholim, Goa. It said Maggi noodles destined for the Indian market were produced at five different facilities in India.
