Govt’s U-turn on use of MSG in noodles on ground of naturally found ingredient

FSSAI directed Commissioners of Food Safety not to act against manufactures of noodles on account of presence of MSG unless it is found that MSG was deliberately added during the course of manufacturing.

Indore : Taking a ‘U-Turn’ over action on use of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in various food products, especially as the flavour enhancer in seasoning for noodles and pastas, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has released its clarification as MSG is naturally found in various food products and it can be added to Good Manufacturing Practice Level along with proper declaration.

The FSSAI had taken action against various noodle brands on finding MSG and lead in the laboratory test.

Now, the FSSAI has clarified that the Glutamate is naturally found in various common foods like milk, spices, wheat, vegetables, etc and there is no analytical method to determine whether MSG was added to the product during the manufacturing of food product or was naturally present in the product. This can be checked only through inspection of the manufacturing units.

According to sources in the Food and Drug Administration Department, the department had taken action over various noodle brands on finding glutamate as ingredient but after learning the fact, the authority released the clarification with an aim to relax food business operators.

For balancing their clarification, the FSSAI has stated that to prevent both, avoidable harassment/ prosecution of Food Business Operators as well as to ensure that consumers are facilitated to exercise informed choices in respect of what they eat, proceedings may be launched against FBOs only when the labels state ‘No MSG’ or ‘No added MSG’ and MSG is the impugned foodstuff.

The Food Safety Authority has also directed the commissioners of food safety for not taking action against manufacturers of noodles/pasta on account of presence of MSG/Glutamic Acid unless it is ascertained by the department that MSG flavor enhancer was deliberately added during the course of manufacturing without required declaration on the labels.

However, the Food Safety Officers find the orders confusing as no proper GMP has been set by them and how the officers would decide in taking action against the food products containing MSG.