Instant Noodles Maggi Under Strict FDA Scanner for High Quantities of MSG and Lead

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collected samples of instant noodles �Maggi' in Pune, Maharashtra, India to test for the presence of chemicals and additives.

Government officials swung into action after samples of Nestle's Maggi noodles collected in the state of Uttar Pradesh were found to contain excess of lead and added monosodium glutamate (MSG).

"We have drawn a total of nine samples of Maggi in Pune division. Of them, five samples have been drawn from outlets in Pune city alone. We have sent them for testing to a designated government lab," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune.

Dilip Sangat, assistant commissioner (food), FDA said, "The samples of Maggi were drawn from across the state after some of its samples were found to contain added monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead in excess of the permissible limit."

The inquiry initiated by the Lucknow Food Safety and Drug Administration, sought the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in New Delhi to cancel license of Maggi.

Food Safety and Drug Administration also requested FSSAI to examine the quality of Nestle Maggi across the country.

The test results of samples drawn in UP showed that Maggi contains 17 parts per million lead, whereas the permissible limit is 0.01ppm. Nestle says its records show lead content is negligible and less than 1% of the fixed limit.

MSG is an additive often added to packaged foods to enhance flavor. Experts say that such additives can be harmful to health. Food safety regulations mandate companies to specify on the package if MSG is added. However, Nestle says that it does not add MSG to the product.

Karnataka government also plans to go for laboratory tests on the Nestle Maggi products.

Source: Medindia