Ready in two minutes: Following controversy, Nestle takes Maggi noodles off Indian shelves

Nestle maintains that Maggie is safe, vows product will return once 'current situation is clarified'

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Nestle India on Friday announced it was withdrawing all of its’ Maggie instant noodles packets amid growing criticism about the safety of the product.

MAGGI Noodles are safe but due to recent developments on unfounded concerns we have decided to withdraw the products http://t.co/PFNKhoIBbX

— Maggi India (@MaggiIndia) June 4, 2015

While the company maintained that it's product was completely safe for consumers, it said it was taking it off the shelves owing to the prevailing environment of confusion for the customers.

“MAGGI Noodles are completely safe and have been trusted in India for over 30 years.”

“The trust of our consumers and the safety of our products is our first priority. Unfortunately, recent developments and unfounded concerns about the product have led to an environment of confusion for the consumer, to such an extent that we have decided to withdraw the product off the shelves, despite the product being safe.”

The pre-dawn statement added that the product will be back in the market "as soon as the current situation is clarified.”

Addressing the allegation levelled against the product, the company made a series of tweets to clarify its position.

MAGGI Noodles will return to the shelves as soon as the unfounded concerns have been clarified http://t.co/PFNKhoIBbX

— Maggi India (@MaggiIndia) June 4, 2015

MAGGI Noodles are safe but due to recent developments on unfounded concerns we have decided to withdraw the products http://t.co/PFNKhoIBbX

— Maggi India (@MaggiIndia) June 4, 2015

In spite of MAGGI Noodles being safe, we have decided to take the products off the shelves http://t.co/PFNKhoIBbX

— Maggi India (@MaggiIndia) June 4, 2015

Maggi, one of the most popular noodles brand in India, has been facing trouble in the country after after various food safety agencies found it to be ‘unhealthy’ for the consumers.

Earlier, stores across the country stepped up voluntary removal of the product from their shelves on Wednesday after officials said higher than permissible lead levels were found in packets in Delhi and in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.