Mar 10, 2016

Maggi faces more scrutiny in Uttar Pradesh

Barabanki food safety officer Manoj Kumar claims samples of Maggi collected from Safedabad on 5 February were found sub-standard
Barabanki/New Delhi: The district authorities of Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh have claimed to have found fresh samples of instant noodles Maggi “sub-standard”, a claim rejected by its manufacturer Nestle India.
The samples of Maggi collected from Safedabad in Barabanki district on 5 February “were found sub-standard”, district chief food safety officer Manoj Kumar said.
According to tests conducted by a Lucknow-based state-owned laboratory, ash content in Maggi Masala was found to be 1.85%, which is higher than the permissible limit of 1%.
Notices would be sent to the retailer and the company and, if they are not satisfied with the report, they can send it to a referral lab on their own expense, Kumar said.
Refuting the findings, Nestle India said, “The quality and safety of our products are non-negotiable priorities for us as we adhere to strict food quality and safety procedures at all times.”
It is apparent from the media reports that standards for “macaroni products” are being applied for “instant noodles with seasoning” which is “erroneous and misleading”, a Nestle India spokesman said.
“We categorically reiterate that testing of Instant Noodles against norms set for macaroni products will reflect in incorrect results and wrong interpretations,” the company said.
Industry members, including Nestlé India, have made a representation to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to remove this confusion, which is unwarranted, the company said.
Kumar said if no application was received either from the retailer or the company within a month, a case would be lodged in the court of the additional district magistrate. “A penalty of up to Rs.5 lakh could be imposed in this case,” he added.

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