Mangaluru: Don't eat Maggi till test results are out: Khadar

Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Updated

Mangaluru, Jun 3: With the state government ordering tests on Maggi Noodles manufactured by Nestle India, health minister U T Khadar on Wednesday June 3 appealed to the public not to consume Maggi products till the test results are out.

Speaking to reporters here, Khadar said, "I appeal to the people not to buy Maggi Noodles and vendors not to sell them until the reports come from the laboratories. Samples of four Maggi Noodles have been sent to CFTRI Mysuru which is recognised by the centre and a private laboratory in Bangaluru. Once we get the reports we will take neccessary action."

The Karnataka government was testing all kinds of instant noodles, including Maggi, following the controversy over samples containing lead beyond permissible limits, Khadar said in Bengaluru later in the day.

"Not only Maggi, we are testing all kinds of noodles, so action will be taken on all types of noodles if they fail in the tests," he said.

"For us, the company is not important, health of society is important. If tests fail, it is understood that the government will ban it (noodles brands)," he added.

Instant noodles brands sold in India include Nestle's Maggi, Sunfeast's Yippee, Smith and Jones, Ching's, Top Ramen and Horlicks Foodles.

More than 20 samples have been sent to the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) and two other private labs for testing, he said, adding, "I instructed the department (CFTRI) to get a report within 48 hours."

Earlier Report

Bengaluru: 'Instant' trouble continues, State orders tests on Maggi

Bengaluru/ New Delhi, June 3 (DHNS): Trouble seems to be mounting for Nestle India, makers of Maggi Noodles, after the State government sought a safety report on the product from three different laboratories.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khadar said that samples would be examined at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, and two recognised private laboratories in Bengaluru. Top Ramen and other instant noodles samples will also be tested.

The decision to impose a ban on these products will be taken after the reports are out. The reports are expected in a day or two. Khadar said that if need be, these samples would also be examined in other states.

“Do not eat Maggi until laboratory reports are out. Retailers have been asked to withhold the product,” said Khadar. Officials have been directed to inspect factories where the product is manufactured, the minister added.

In Bihar, a court in Muzaffarpur ordered an FIR against Maggi brand ambassadors Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta. The court also told the police to arrest the actors if required.

The order came during the hearing of a case filed by a lawyer, Sudhir Kumar Ojha. The complainant claimed he purchased Maggi packets from a shop in Muzaffarpur on May 30 and that he fell ill after consuming it. This prompted him to file a case against Nestle and the film stars.

Maggi samples in New Delhi were found “unsafe” for consumption during tests by the Delhi Government, while state-run retail outlets in Kerala were ordered to withdraw these products. Haryana also ordered random lifting of Maggi samples for scrutiny.

The trouble first began for Nestle India when samples taken from a store in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh were found to contain monosodium glutamate and lead above the permissible limit.

The tests found that quantum of lead present was 17 times more than the stipulated limit, which is considered hazardous.

The Delhi government on Tuesday said that food safety officers were directed to collect Maggi samples from various parts of the city following newspaper reports and email from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

The Delhi government claimed that 10 out of 13 samples picked up last week were found unsafe, as it had lead exceeding the prescribed limits of 2.5 ppm.

“Five samples of masala were also having monosodium glutamate without proper label declaration. This falls under the category of misbranding,” the government said.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Kerala Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Anoop Jacob, said: “Samples have already been sent for laboratory tests. Till a final word is out on the issue, we thought that a temporary stoppage of sale in Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation stores was imperative.”

Haryana also ordered tests on Tuesday.