PMO summon Health Secretary
Our Correspondent —
Central food safety regulator, FSSAI today asked Nestle to recall nine variants of Maggi instant noodles from market. FSSAI has found nine variants of Maggi noodles ‘unsafe and hazardous’ for human consumption. It asked Nestle to stop their production, import and sale with immediate effect. FSSAI said that Nestle launched ‘Maggi Oats Masala Noodles’ without product approval and without undertaking risk, safety assessment. It has also ordered recall of product. FSSAI asked company to submit compliance report on its orders within 3 days.
Earlier, Prime Minister’s Office today summoned Union Health Secretary BP Sharma over the Maggi controversy. PMO has sought a report on the issue from the Health Ministry.
Bihar government has banned the sale of Maggi noodles for similar reasons. The sale of Maggi noodles has already been banned in Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand after concerns were raised over presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead beyond permissible levels in the product.
Madhya Pradesh government has also banned the sale of Maggi noodles in the state from today. After a meeting with Union Chemicals and Fertiliser Minister Anant Kumar, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that till it is proved that Maggi noodles are not harmful for the health, there will be a ban in the state on the sale of this noodle.
Singapore authorities have ordered local importers to temporarily suspend of the sale of Nestle’s Maggi noodles imported from India amid reports that high lead content was found in the popular instant snack in India.
Meanwhile, Global CEO of Nestle Paul Bulcke has said that the quality of product is of foremost priority. Mr. Bulcke said that the Maggi noodles are safe for consumption and follow same standards worldwide and it has been temporarily withdrawn from the market due to confusion as consumer trust was shaken.