US too finds Maggi noodles safe for consumption

India is looking increasingly isolated in its ban on Maggi noodles, as the US Food and Drugs Administration has cleared the noodles made by Nestle for human consumption, saying its tests have found the lead level in the popular instant food within acceptable levels for US consumers.

Health regulators in the UK, Singapore, Canada, Australia and Vietnam have also cleared India-made Maggi as safe for human consumption

A USFDA spokesperson, in an e-mailed statement, said, "Following news reports about alleged lead levels in Maggi noodles made by Nestle and sold in the US, FDA tested a limited number of samples for lead contamination. FDA testing did not find any levels that present a public health concern for US consumers."

Meanwhile, a day after the Indian government reportedly filed a class action suit against the company seeking Rs640 crore in damages for alleged unfair trade practices, false labelling and misleading advertisements, Nestle India denied receiving an official notice.

"We are yet to receive an official notice about the complaint filed before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). Our current knowledge on this issue is only media reports. We shall be able to provide substantive response after we receive the official papers," Nestle said in a BSE filing.

On FDA clearance, a Nestle India spokesperson said, "We have learnt from our official importer in the United States, House of Spices, that USFDA has tested several shipments of Maggi noodles from India for lead content. Finding no unsafe lead levels, FDA released the noodles for sale in the United States."

The ban on Maggi showed up in Nestle India earnings earlier as it reported a standalone loss of Rs64.40 crore for the June quarter - its first quarterly loss in over three decades. It had posted a net profit of Rs287.86 crore in April-June of 2014-15.