New Delhi: Amid the controversy over high lead content in 'Maggi' noodles, Delhi government on Tuesday decided to initiate a case against Nestle India after it found samples of the product 'unsafe' for consumption.
The decision by Delhi government against the Indian arm of Swiss multinational giant came after lab testing of samples of Maggi noodles was found to have lead exceeding the prescribed limits.
The government said officials of Nestle will be summoned in the next few days and that more action may follow including possible ban on the famous '2-minute' instant noodle after the final report of the lab testing was received.
"The detailed and final report of the test/analysis is awaited and the government has decided to take further strict action in the case once it is received," an official said.
According to officials, a total of 13 samples of masala (tastemaker) were lifted by authorities from various areas of the city last week out of which 10 samples were found unsafe having lead exceeding the prescribed limits. The prescribed maximum limit of lead is 2.5 ppm.
Delhi Health Minister Sateyndra Jain said, "Today we checked 13 samples and 10 have failed. Nestle has been summoned by us, we are meeting them tomorrow. We will take all possible steps in this matter. I have also called the food safety inspector."
"This is not a campaign against a product, whatever action will be taken will be under the purview of the law," he added.
State-run retail outlets in Kerala were ordered to withdraw these products and Karnataka and Haryana directed random lifting of this food item for scrutiny.
Over 1500 SupplyCo outlets in Kerala have decided to take off Maggi noodles off the shelf.
Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob's office said an order had been issued to temporarily stop the distribution of Maggi noodles from its retail outlets in the state forthwith till there is clarity on the safety issue.
The probe into alleged lapses of food safety standards has already been expanded to test Maggi noodle samples from across the country following detection of monosodium glutamate and lead in excess of the prescribed limit in the noodles.
However, Nestle India claimed it has got samples tested in an external laboratory as well as in-house and that the product was found "safe to eat".
Nestle on Tuesday issued a fresh statement, "Samples of Maggi Noodles from almost 600 batches were sent for test at an external laboratory by Nestle India. All results show lead levels are well within limits and that Maggi noodles are safe to eat. Results shared with the authorities on 1 June 2015."
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