Govt lifts samples of other noodles

More brands now being sent to labs

The Delhi government on Thursday picked up nine samples of various brands of noodles for testing. These were picked up from various areas of Delhi.

“The government picked up nine samples across brands of instant noodles for testing. The samples have been sent for health safety standard tests to laboratories accredited by the government,” said a government release.

“The reports are awaited in the next two-four days,” said a source in the health department.

These are brands other than Nestle India’s Maggi noodles. The Delhi government had announced on Wednesday that other instant noodles will also be analysed on all parameters.

Chief Minister Mr Arvind Kejriwal has now directed the concerned departments to take steps to amend the existing Food Safety & Standards Act, 2005, on a priority basis.

He has asked the departments to act tough on adulteration, misleading advertisements and unhygienic or unsanitary processing or manufacturing of food and unsafe food.

In cases where adulteration leads to severe health conditions, the government will propose life imprisonment, according to a release by the government.

“Transparency will be strengthened and the prosecution process will be made time-bound. Special courts will be set up for which there is already a provision in the Act,” said the official.

Meanwhile, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have directed all states to make detailed analysis of the Maggi noodles. The states have been directed to check all the parameters besides lead and mercury levels of Maggi noodles.

On Wednesday, the Delhi government banned Maggi noodles for 15 days and directed Nestle India to withdraw all existing stocks from the markets.

Of the 13 Maggi noodle samples tested by the government, 10 masala samples contained lead exceeding the prescribed limit of 2.5 parts per million (ppm). The lead levels were found to be ranging between 3.54 to 4.91 ppm in the samples.

Five samples of masala were also found having monosodium glutamate (MSG) without proper label declaration, which falls under misbranding of a product.