Nestle is reportedly facing bans of its Maggi branded noodles in a number of Indian states as tests conducted by food safety authorities return positive for MSG and lead.

According to local reports, the Kerala Government has temporarily stopped distribution of Maggi noodles while Delhi is mulling a ban after 10 of the 13 samples they tested were found to be "unsafe" due to high levels of lead. Meanwhile, a criminal complaint by the state government in Uttar Pradesh has been filed against Nestle.

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Tests are being conducted throughout the country and, according to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, if three tests return positive from the states pan-Indian action is likely.

Nestle did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, in a statement the group insisted that its products are "safe".

The company stated: "Trace amounts of lead are present in the atmosphere and in the soil around the world. There are firm limits prescribed by the authorities to ensure that any lead detected in a finished product is well below the levels that would be unsafe. We regularly monitor all our raw materials for lead, including testing by accredited laboratories. These tests have consistently shown levels in Maggi noodles to be within permissible limits.

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"We do not add the flavour enhancer MSG (E621) to Maggi noodles in India. However, the product contains glutamate from hydrolysed groundnut protein, onion powder and wheat flour. Glutamate produces a positive result in a test for MSG."

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Yesterday (3 June), the company stressed that tests of 125m packets of noodles – conducted by an independent laboratory as well as its own laboratory – came back with levels of lead below regulated limits.

Meanwhile, following a consumer complaint, media reports claim Nestle's milk powder NAN Pro 3 tested positive for larvae. Reports cite the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Wing and TN is reportedly now testing Maggi noodles.