Nestle said that its Nan Pro-3 infant formula has been cleared by Indian authorities after a consumer complaint said live worms had been found in a package.

According to the company, the food safety authorities in Coimbatore – the state where the complaint was made – tested samples from the batch that was allegedly contaminated with insects. These samples were collected from the market as part of their investigation.

"Laboratory tests by the local authorities have confirmed the safety of Nan Pro-3," Nestle said in a statement. "We have in place strict food quality and safety procedures, including quality checks at the different stages of our manufacturing process, as well as checks of storage conditions. Moreover, our manufacturing technology excludes the possibility of insects existing in the sealed package in which these products are sold. Immediately before the package is sealed, any remaining oxygen is completely removed as part of the manufacturing process to maintain the product’s freshness and nutritional value."

The consumer complaint came to light – and made international headlines – during the height of Nestle's Maggi recall. Indian food safety regulators ordered a national recall of Maggi noodles, which, they said, contained elevated levels of lead and the unlabelled ingredient MSG. Nestle has repeatedly insisted that its Maggi noodles are safe and denied using MSG as an ingredient in production.