Chennai/New Delhi: Tamil Nadu government has decided to send Nestle's noodle brand Maggi to the labs to check for levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead. This follows reports of these contents exceeding their prescribed levels in tests conducted in Uttar Pradesh and some other parts of the country. Uttar Pradesh and Kerala have already ordered the retailers in their states to take the product off their shelves.
Read: Maggi samples from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana sent for testing
The Food Safety Department of Tamil Nadu has initiated proceedings in this regard, collecting samples and sending them to laboratories across the state to be examined, department officials said. Tests would be conducted to establish if Maggi noodles contained MSG and lead in excess of the prescribed limits, they said.
Read: MSG is loud, clear in all noodles
Punjab too joined the states which have ordered laboratory testing of Maggi noodles samples following allegations of lapses in food safety standards. "We have taken almost 60 samples of Maggi noodles collected from various parts of the state for laboratory testing," Punjab Heath and Family Welfare Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani told PTI here.
He said that the samples have been sent for testing in a government laboratory in Amritsar. "We will soon receive the report of the samples," the minister said.
Read: States crack whip against Maggi
"If any lapse is found as per food safety standards, then appropriate action will be taken in this regard," said Jayani, who is a BJP MLA.
The Central Government had made it clear on Wednesday that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is testing more Maggi samples collected from different states following the detection of MSG and lead in excess of the prescribed limit in the noodles.
Read: Nutrition-devoid noodles a staple
Last week, a case had been lodged against Nestle India by state food regulator FSDA in a local court at Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh over safety standards of its Maggi, while actors Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta have also been dragged into it for promoting the 'two-minute' noodles brand.
