India’s most favourite snack, magi Noodles, has been banned by the Indian government on concern of public health for 15 days. The Indian government had ordered countrywide tests of Maggi noodle samples after a growing awareness of food safety among masses. Various grocery stores have already taken the product off their shelves. Nestle India has denied that their noodles are unsafe or unhealthy. Maggi is a big seller for Nestle in India with the annual sales of about 15bn rupees.
The government tests revealed 10 out of 13 samples carrying extremely high levels of lead and MSG in the noodles. More results will be obtained as the test results are being carried out all over the country. Once all the results are obtained, Nestle India will be given a chance to explain. Following this ban, Nestle’s shares dropped by 10% in the early trading on the Bombay Stock Exchange after the Delhi government, stated its food inspectors.[junkie-alert style=”white”] Governments around the world are taking more care in monitoring the food items on growing concerns of health of the public. The Pakistani government should also act responsibly in this respect [/junkie-alert]
MSG was found in fives samples that were tested. MSG is used as a taste enhancer for Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and meat. But it is not listed among the ingredients in Maggi noodles. Authorities in the southern state of Kerala have stopped selling magi noodles at more than 1,000 government run shops. The ban is temporary and will last until the dispute is resolved. Other states of India; Goa, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have also ordered tests on Maggi noodles.
Nestle however maintains that it has strict safety and quality controls. It also had samples of its noodles tested in an internal and external laboratory which had found the product ‘safe to eat’. It also said that it did not add MSG and that if present then it may be coming from naturally occurring sources. The lead content was a surprise to them as they constantly regulate its presence in their product.
Maggi is also a favourite snack for children in Pakistan also. The government authorities here should also strictly monitor the content of hazardous ingredients in these products and should immediately ban these products in Pakistan also, before it poses a serious health issue.