Instant Noodles Maggi Fails Lab Test, Rs 45 Lakh Fine Slapped On Nestle

The district administration of Shahjahanpur, UP, has imposed a fine of Rs 45 lakh on Nestle India and its distributors after its favourite noodles brand Maggi allegedly failed to pass the lab test, The Times of India reported.

However, the major Fast Moving Consumer Good (FMCG) has claimed that it is a case of application of wrongful standards.

A fine of Rs 15 lakh was levied on its three distributors and Rs 11 lakh on its two sellers.

The district authorities had collected a sample of the instant noodles last year in November and had sent it for a lab test. The test results have revealed that the sample had ash content above the permissible limits of human consumption.

Nestle India has claimed that it has not received the order yet and would file an appeal immediately upon receiving the order.

A spokesperson from Nestle India has added that the samples that had been sent for lab tests were from 2015.

In 2015, Nestle India and other companies had represented to the relevant authorities, via industry associations, to set standards specific to instant noodles. This was done in an attempt to avoid confusion with the enforcement officers and the consumers.

Nestle India claims that it has been following all the standards that had been set down and reiterated the fact that Maggi is 100% safe for consumption.

The Logical Indian Take

In 2015, Maggi was banned by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) for allegedly containing lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) beyond permissible limits.

Back in 2015, the hue and cry over Maggi and about 400 other products had started In Uttar Pradesh with the sampling and testing of Maggi by the office of Commissioner of Food Safety, Uttar Pradesh and recognizing the serious food safety concerns.

The Logical Indian expresses its deepest concern over the disturbing news of the presence of ash content in Maggi. We hope that proper tests are carried out to ensure that India’s favourite midnight snack can be enjoyed by everyone without any fear.