CFTRI had in June found Nestle's Maggi noodles safe, says report

The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Bangalore, had found samples of Maggi noodles tested by it to be in compliance with the country's food safety standards, according to reports.

CFTRI had tested five samples of the product sent by Goa Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when Maggi was banned in June in the wake of findings in Uttar Pradesh and other states that the instant noodles brand had lead and MSG levels beyond permissible limits.

"CFTRI finding shows that samples are in compliance with the food safety standards as per the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011," PTI quoted Goa FDA director Salem a Vale as saying.

Goa FDA had sent the Maggi noodles samples to Mysore-based CFTRI for retesting of the safety of instant noodles after FSSAI expressed apprehensions on state FDA's initial report, which had found lead within permissible limits.

Nestle had, in June this year, taken Maggi off the shelves, after some states decided to ban the noodles, forcing FSSAI also to ban Maggi instant noodles terming them "unsafe and hazardous" for human consumption.

FSSAI had also said that Nestle violated labeling regulations on taste enhancer 'MSG' and ordered company to submit compliance report on its orders.

Meanwhile, Nestle India's new chief Suresh Narayanan had said that bringing the instant noodles brand back to the market is his top priority as he sought to strike a conciliatory note with authorities.