The controversy over the popular two-minute noodles is boiling with each passing day. Even as the Punjab government has also joined the league of other states on Saturday announcing one year ban on the Maggi noodles, the hill state of Himachal Pradesh has made it clear that strict action would be initiated if noodles found to be of poor quality.
The Punjab Government has issued “prohibiting orders to the Nestle India limited for manufacture, distribution and sale of all nine approved variants of Maggi instant noodles from the company’s plant situated at Ferozepur Road, Moga with immediate effect”. The sale of these products has also been prohibited in the state for a period of one year, stated the orders issued by the state Commissioner Food Safety Hussan lal on Saturday.
Besides, the Nestle company has also been directed to immediately withdraw and recall all nine approved variants of Maggi instant noodles with tastemaker from the market. “The step has been taken in view of the interest of health of the people of state,” said the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani.
He said that the food safety officers of districts of Moga, Kapurthala, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Sangrur drew samples of the Maggi’s product from various parts of the state and sent to the State Food and Drug laboratory, Punjab, Chandigarh for analysis under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
“As per the report of the public analyst, presence of lead was found within the permissible limit (ie less than 2.5 ppm). However, the presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) was confirmed in the samples, whereas the same has not been declared on the label of the product, which is mandatory as per the provisions of the Regulation 2.4.5 (18) (Packaging and labeling) Regulations of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 Rules and Regulations, 2011,” he said.
“Also a statement “No MSG added” has been declared on the label of the product, which is a clear violation of Section 24 of FSSA. Hence, the report of the Public Analyst has concluded that the product is misbranded and misleading,” he said. Spokesperson said that the Company has been directed to comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act and the applicable regulations qua this product and after obtaining necessary approval from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, shall be at liberty to approach for review of this order.