JOIN USSeveral brands of noodles on radar
A day after banning Maggi noodles, food safety regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday said it would test samples of instant noodles across brands to ensure food safety.
The FSSAI said it would also examine branded pasta products while asserting that it’s not considering any action against brand ambassadors as of now.
“We will check all other instant noodle brands as well. Why should we restrict to one brand? We are drawing samples of other noodles brand,” said FSSAI CEO Yudhvir Singh Malik. While he did not name the brands, popular products include ITC’s Sunfeast Yippee, HUL’s Knorr, Nissin Foods’ Top Ramen and Wai Wai from Nepal’s Chaudhary Group.
“On Monday, we will publish the names of all brands of instant noodles and pasta which have taken approval from FSSAI to sell their products. Samples of these brands will be collected for testing,” said Malik. “The brands or products that have not taken approval are unauthorised, and action will be contemplated against them,” he said, adding: “There will be many brands that have not taken approval from the FSSAI”.
On Friday, the FSSAI had banned all variants of Nestle India’s Maggi noodles, terming them as “unsafe and hazardous” for human consumption. Asked about action against brand ambassadors, Malik said “not right now”, and that they must be given the “benefit of doubt”.
He, however, said the Consumer Affairs Ministry can take action against the brand ambassadors. “They may or may not have an idea about the ingredients of the product, but they should be sensitised and made aware about the products they are promoting,” he said.
Actors Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta have been dragged into the Maggi controversy after food inspectors in UP found excess lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the noodles.
Asked if the FSSAI is looking to test other FMCG products, Malik said: “If we receive any complaint, we are open to that.”
Meanwhil, Punjab and Rajasthan have also banned the sale of Maggi, and are now working to get the instant noodles off the shelves in their respective states.
DHNS & PTI