Nestle India has landed in yet another trouble in India after a Uttar Pradesh laboratory alleged that samples of its pasta — sold under the brand name Maggi Pazzta– were found to have lead beyond permissible limits.
Pasta samples collected from Nestle distributor Sriji Traders in UP on June 10 were sent to a government laboratory in Lucknow, Arvind Yadav, designated officer at Food and Drug Administration, Mau.
“After Maggi, the sample of macroni pasta was taken from Mau and sent to National Food Analysis Laboratory, Lucknow, in which lead was found to be much more that the permissible limit,” Yadav was quoted as saying.
“According to a report received on September 2, they failed the tests,” he added. According to him, the report was sent to the FDA commissioner in Lucknow on October 12 for sanction to lodge a case and in case it is received, it will be filed in the court.
However, a Nestle spokesperson denied receiveing any notifications and said that its pasta was 100 per cent safe.
“Maggi Pazzta is 100 per cent safe. The finished product and the raw materials used to make it undergo rigorous testing during every stage of the manufacturing process. We have seen media reports claiming that lead has been found in the product and we are investigating. We regret the confusion that these reports may be causing. They are safe to consume,” a Nestle India spokesperson said in a statement.
He added that Nestle will work with the authorities to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Nestle India said that it has resumed production of Maggi noodles at all five facilities in India.
Nestle manufacturers Maggi noodles at its plants in Nanjangud (Karnataka), Moga (Punjab) Bicholim (Goa), Tahliwal and Pantnagar in Himachal Pradesh.
The company, which relaunched Maggi noodles early this month after a five-month ban, has already started production of at its fifth Tahliwal plant in Himachal Pradesh.
“The company has resumed manufacturing of Maggi noodles at its Tahliwal (Himachal Pradesh) factory. With this, the company has resumed manufacture of Maggi noodles at all five noodle manufacturing facilities,” Nestle said in a BSE filing.
Last week, the company had started production of Maggi noodles from its fourth plant at Pantnagar in Uttarakhand.
Nestles resumes manufacturing at Uttarakhand plant
In June, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had banned Maggi noodles, saying it was “unsafe and hazardous” for consumption after finding lead content beyond permissible limits.
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