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After Maggi noodles, pasta and macaroni of other companies face FSSAI tests

10 Jun 2015, 08:27 am Print

After Maggi noodles, pasta and macaroni of other companies face FSSAI tests
New Delhi, June 8 (JEN) After Nestle that faces to withdraw its popular noodles brand Maggi following a crackdown over food safety, other brands manufacturing noodles, pasta, and macaroni face trouble as . Food safety regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered testing of branded noodles, pasta and macaroni.

Reports said these brands include the products of firms like ITC, GSK Consumer, Ruchi International, Indo Nissin.

"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," media reports quoted  FSSAI CEO YS Malik as saying  in letter to Commissioners of Food Safety in all states and UTs.

The products include Wai Wai noodles and bhujiya chicken snacks by CG Foods; Koka instant noodles from Ruchi International, Foodles by GSK Consumer Helathcare and Nestle's Maggi instant noodles with nine variants. Others in the list are Indo Nissin's Top Ramen Aata Masala, ITC's three variants of instant noodles and Yummy chicken and vegetarian noodles of AA Nutrition.

Besides general parameters like test for preservatives and synthetic colours, the food regulator has asked all the state food safety commissioner to test for metal contaminants.

FSSAI had ordered Nestle to recall nine variants of Maggi instant noodles from market and it found then 'unsafe and hazardous' for human consumption for presence of  lead in excess of permissible limits and the "misleading" labelling on the packets saying 'no added MSG' and releasing a non standardised food product.

Nestle has temporarily withdrawn Maggi from market due to confusion. "Quality of product our foremost priority. Our priority is to clarify on safety of product to authorities and be back on shelves as soon as possible. Have withdrawn Maggi from the market as consumer trust was shaken," Nestle Global CEO Paul Bulcke claimed.

Several states including Delhi, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, J&K, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Telangana have already banned Maggi temporarily.