Maggi: Nestlé Denies Inspectors Ordered Recall of Noodle Packets After Lead Reportedly Found

"NESTLÉ HOUSE, Gurgaon, 21st May, 2015: On 30th April 2015 the local authorities in Lucknow asked us to recall one batch of MAGGI Noodles (around 200,000 packs) which were manufactured in February 2014 and had already reached the ‘Best Before date’ in November 2014. Nestlé India’s current practice is to collect stock that is near ‘Best Before date’ from distributors/retailers so we are confident that these packs are no longer in the market. The company does not agree with the order and is filing the requisite representations with the authorities. In the meantime it is important to note that there are no other orders to recall MAGGI Noodle products in the market. People can be confident that MAGGI Noodle products are safe to eat. 

The quality and safety of our products are the top priorities for our Company.

We have in place strict food safety and quality controls at our MAGGI factories, including thorough quality checks at each stage of our raw material sourcing and manufacturing process. This includes comprehensive testing to ensure that MAGGI Noodles comply with all applicable food safety laws, as well as our own high standards of quality and safety before they reach our consumers.

We are aware of reports that tests by the local authorities have detected Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in a sample of MAGGI Noodles and that they are continuing their investigation. We have submitted product samples to an independent accredited laboratory and will share the results with the authorities. 

We do not add MSG to our MAGGI Noodles sold in India and this is stated on the concerned product. However, we use hydolysed groundnut protein, onion powder and wheat flour to make MAGGI Noodles sold in India, which all contain glutamate. We believe that the authorities’ tests may have detected glutamate, which occurs naturally in many foods.

We are also aware of the reports of elevated levels of lead in a pack of MAGGI Noodles analysed by the authorities. We regularly monitor for lead as part of our stringent quality control processes, including testing by accredited laboratories. These tests have consistently shown lead levels in MAGGI Noodles to be within permissible limits. We have submitted product samples to an independent accredited laboratory and will share the results with the authorities.," it said.

But FDA officials in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state, said all the packets they tested were contaminated.

"Maggi instant noodles contained dangerous amounts of lead and MSG. We had to immediately issue orders against the company," news agency Reuters quoted DG Srivastava, deputy inspector general of the FDA in Lucknow, as saying.

They said they found lead nearly seven times the permissible limit.

MSG is commonly used as a flavour enhancer for Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and meat but experts say too much of it can cause headaches, chest pain and nausea. Consumed over a long period of time, it can damage the nervous system.

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