Maggi issues clarification after reports of high levels of MSG and lead

New Delhi: Maggi India on Monday issued a clarification saying it doesn't add monosodium glutamate (MSG) to Maggi noodles.

The reply was in response to several tweets after reports of high level of MSG and lead being found in Maggi samples, came to the fore.

However, there were some who were not really convinced with Maggi’s clarification and needed more proof.

According to a Times of India report, the Lucknow Food Safety and Drug Administration has written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), urging it cancel the licence for Maggi after monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead were found beyond permissible limit.

The state regulator has also requested the FSSAI to collect samples from all over the country to check the quality of the product.

The tested samples, which were collected from parts of Uttar Pradesh revealed that it contained 17 parts per million of lead, whereas the permissible limit is a mere 0.01 parts per million lead.

“We have tested Maggi samples at Kolkata's referral laboratory. The test results show that there are added monosodium glutamate and excess of lead. We have ordered further sampling," FSDA Assistant Commissioner Vijay Bahadur Yadav told TOI.

However, Nestle, which manufactures Maggi, denied the claims saying it does not add monosodium glutamate to the product and added it is “surprised with the lead content supposedly found in the sample”. 

Monosodium glumate or MSG is commonly used to enhance flavour of packed and processed food. Although a small quantity of MSG is believed to be safe, its long-time consumption can result in harmful side-effects, mainly for children. It is mandatory for companies to specify on the packaging if MSG has been added.