TN conducting tests on samples of Maggi Noodles

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu government is conducting tests on samples of Maggi Noodles
after Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has ordered the
state to do so after high levels of added monosodium glutamate (MSG),
a taste enhancer, and lead beyond permissible limits were detect.



A official of Food Safety department told Express that the Food Safety
Commissioner Kumar Jayanth has issued the order to collect samples of
Maggi noodles for tests to be conducted at food safety labs.



Samples from several districts were collected and sent to six food
safety labs in Coimbatore, Chennai, Salem, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli and
Madurai, the official said.



The focus is on whether the samples contain Mono Sodium Glutamate
(MSG) and lead in levels excess of the limits permitted under the Food
Safety and Standards Act (FSSA).



The official said that the test would take two to three days to
ascertain the lead level. Once the tests confirm that the Noodles
contain lead then it will be removed off the shelves of all the shops,
the official said.



Interestingly, the move comes in the waker of neighbouring Kerala
government directing its outlets to stop selling of Maggi noodles
owing to safety concerns.



Interestingly, 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 TAKEN to court for promoting the
noodles brand.