BENGALURU: The Karnataka government is expected to issue notices to Nestle, the makers of Maggi noodles, following traces of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in sample tests of the product by a private lab in Bengaluru.
"The MSG level, according to the report, is 0.053 parts per million. Since the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) doesn't have clarity regarding the permissible levels, the state government has written to the regulator. Based on its reply, we will plan our next step,'' health and family welfare minister U T Khader told TOI on Tuesday. The samples were tested at TUV SUD in Peenya. Khader is scheduled to convene a meeting on Thursday to discuss the issue.
"In all probability, the company will be issued notices to prove the MSG presence is not an add-on,'' sources said.
The government is not able to take a stand as the Centre, while prescribing what should be the permissible presence of lead in food products, is silent on MSG. Maggi noodles, in a statement issued last week claimed that they do not add the flavour enhancer MSG (E621) to the noodles sold in India.
"However, the product contains glutamate derived from hydrolyzed groundnut protein, onion powder and wheat flour. Glutamate produces a positive test result in a test for MSG," the statement said.
As for lead content, the preliminary tests conducted on samples found them to be below the permissible limit. But the Karnataka government had advised the stakeholders to refrain from marketing, distributing and selling the noodles and also asked public not to consume it.
Khader said the government has directed Nestle to withdraw its Maggi stocks from stores. The multinational company has four production units in Nanjangud in Mysuru.
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