Maggi clears all safety tests directed by Supreme Court

All tests conducted on 29 samples of the instant noodles failed to find any excess lead or artificial MSG in it

Nearly a year after it got into trouble, Maggi noodlespassed all safety tests directed by the Supreme Court(SC) and National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC). All tests conducted on 29 samples of the instant noodles failed to find any excess lead or artificial monosodium glutamate (MSG) in it, Nestle India said on Monday.

“Every single sample was found compliant. Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) laboratory has clarified that glutamic acid can be due to presence of ingredients like tomatoes, Cheese, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein etc. It has further stated that there are no analytical methods to distinguish between naturally present glutamic acid and additive MSG”, Nestle India said in a statement.

The apex court in January, ordered laboratory testing of 16 Maggi noodle samples in addition to 13 samples collected by government authorities earlier. A NCDRC bench comprising judge V K Jain and judge B C Gupta ordered retest of Maggi noodles, collected from nine batches, in the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories - accredited CFTRI laboratory in Mysuru.

While, the NCDRC directed tests were conducted to determine presence and level of lead and MSG in Maggi. The tests, ordered by the SC, was to determine level of many safety parameters like metal contaminants, crop contaminants, and other hazardous substances, including lead and MSG.

The latest test reports are in line with the food major’s claims that it does not add MSG in Maggi noodles, Nestle said.

The controversy related to presence of MSG and higher than permissible level of lead in Maggi instant noodles hit Nestle India in May last year. The issue led to a country-wide ban of Nestle’s flagship instant noodles, which contributes Rs 2,500 or 26 per cent of its Rs 9,800 annual sales.

As Maggi noodles remained off the shelves in the country between June and October 2015, Nestle India suffered considerable financial losses. It also posted Rs 64 crore net loss during the July-September last year, first time in 17 years.

While, the beleaguered food major’s sales and profit remained lower than that on a year-on-year basis since. The union government and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are facing questions from various quarters of the society. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the minister of food processing industries expressed concerns as the tussle between Nestle and the government authorities might hurt government’s business friendly image.

“We strongly re-iterate that Maggi noodles has always been safe for consumption as demonstrated by tests carried out in independent accredited laboratories. In addition to the recent CFTRI reports addressing clarification sought by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, and the tests conducted as per orders passed by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court, over 3,500 tests have been conducted at internal and external accredited labs. These include several other national food authorities including the USA, UK, Singapore and Australia, among others”, it added.