CFTRI tests find Maggi noodles safe, results submitted to SC

Nestle India on Monday said a central food-testing lab in Mysuru has found that all the 29 samples of popular snack Maggi have been found to be safe for consumption and that the analysis reports have been submitted to the Supreme Court.

"The Central Food Technological Research Institute - Mysuru has submitted its analysis reports on Maggi Noodles to the Honourable Supreme Court. We have been provided with a copy of the reports. We are happy that all 29 samples tested are clear," the company said in a statement.

The 29 samples were collected by the authorities and directly submitted to the lab.

Another batch of 16 samples were also tested, not just for lead and MSG but also other parameters such as metal contaminants, crop contaminants and toxic substances that are applicable to instant noodles as a proprietary food, the company said.

"Every single sample was found compliant."

The apex court in its 13 January 2016 order, while perusing the tests reports by the institute, had asked it to look into whether the results relating to lead and glutamic acid were within permissible parameters or not (See: Maggi row: SC seeks further clarification from Mysore lab).

The company said lab clarified that glutamic acid can be due to the presence of ingredients like tomatoes, cheese, hydrolyzed plant protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein. It has also said there are no analytical methods to distinguish naturally present glutamic acid from additive MSG.

The company said the reports are in line with Nestle's position that its noodles are safe, the lead content is much below permissible limits, no MSG is added as an additive and presence of glutamic acid comes from ingredients used in the Maggi noodles.

"The findings, and the recent 31 March rder of the Food Standards and Safety Authority of India, clarify that additive MSG can be used under 'good manufacturing practices' in the permitted food products and there is no prescribed level," the company said.

Nestle said the over 3,500 tests carried out in independent labs and on courts orders, as by a host of national food authorities in countries including the US, UK, Singapore and Australia, among others, all confirm Maggi is safe.

The Mysuru lab had conducted tests on Maggi samples in pursuance to the 15 October directions of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), and the 16 December direction of the apex court.

Nestle India had moved the apex court challenging the order, contending that once the consumer court had sent Maggi samples for testing by the lab by its October 15 order, then there was no necessity of further testing by the Chennai lab.

The government filed before the apex consumer court a class action suit against Nestle India, seeking about Rs640 crore in damages for alleged unfair trade practices, false labelling and misleading advertisements -- each of which has been denied by Nestle.