Maggi row: Food regulator widens probe, orders testing of more noodle brands
NEW DELHI: Bringing more food products under its scanner,
the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Monday ordered testing of various noodles, pasta and macaroni brands, including Top Ramen, Foodles and Wai Wai, manufactured by seven companies to check compliance of norms in the wake of Maggi controversy.
The food regulator had recently banned all variants of Nestle India's Maggi noodles, terming them as "unsafe and hazardous" for human consumption.
"Various test results on Maggi and some other similar products have raised serious health concerns. In view of the same, it would be advisable to draw regulatory samples for similar products for which product approvals have been granted by the FSSAI...These samples should be sent to the authorised labs for testing," FSSAI CEO YS Malik said in letter to commissioners of food safety in all states and UTs.
As per FSSAI order, the companies whose products have been listed for testing are Nestle India, ITC, Indo Nissin Food Ltd, GSK Consumer Healthcare, CG Foods India, Ruchi International and AA Nutrition Ltd.
The regulator has ordered the testing of products registered with it.
The products include Wai Wai noodles and bhujiya chicken snacks by CG Foods; Koka instant noodles from Ruchi International, Foodles by GSK Consumer Healthcare and Nestle's Maggi instant noodles with nine variants.
Others in the list are Indo Nissin's Top Ramen Atta Masala, ITC's three variants of instant noodles and Yummy chicken and vegetarian noodles of AA Nutrition.
When contacted CG Foods CEO GP Sah said: "Our brands meets all regulatory standards as listed by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. We are not closed to any tests and will cooperate with authorities if required."
Comments from other companies could not be obtained immediately.
The development comes after the Indian unit of the Swiss multinational recalled Maggi from the markets after several states banned the famous '2-minute' instant food brand as tests showed them containing taste enhancer MSG (Mono Sodium Glutamate) and lead in excess of the permissible limits.
(With inputs from agencies)