Maggi exits Indian stores, promises stronger comeback

Nestle India has decided to take Maggie noodles off the shelves across the country after the popular snack was banned in six states amidst charges that it contained excess of lead and taste maker monosodium glutamate (MSG) that were unsafe for consumption.

Nestle India also issued a brief notice on its web site, still insisting that Maggie noodles are completely safe for consumption and have been trusted in India for over 30 years.

''The trust of our consumers and the safety of our products is our first priority. Unfortunately, recent developments and unfounded concerns about the product have led to an environment of confusion for the consumer, to such an extent that we have decided to withdraw the product off the shelves, despite the product being safe...We promise that the trusted Maggie Noodles will be back in the market as soon as the current situation is clarified,'' Nestle stated.

Major retailers across the country have already taken Maggie noodles off their shelves. Besides, military stores across the country and six state governments have removed the product from the stores.

While Delhi banned it for 15 days, ban in other states varies from about a month to about three months. Some states are awaiting test results (See: Maggi: Two-minute noodles push Nestle into a 24-hour soup).

Test results in states like Goa and Kerala did not, however, prove any excessive content of harmful lead or MSG in the product.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is awaiting test results from all the states to take a decision on a nationwide ban.