India's central regulator says no change in Maggi noodle recall despite Goa's clearance
Goa says lab testing shows Maggi samples are in compliance with standards as per Food Safety and Standards Rules
Nestle was drawn into its worst-ever crisis in India after food safety inspectors in Uttar Pradesh state found excess lead in some Maggi noodle samples. PHOTO: REUTERS
MUMBAI:
Maggi noodles remained subject to a recall order in India after the country's federal food safety regulator declined to change its stance on the popular snack, despite Goa state finding no evidence of the excess lead detected by another state.
The federal regulator said on Wednesday it had not given any clean bill of health on the safety of Maggi noodles, made by an offshoot of foods group Nestle SA, and the Goa test reports would not have any bearing on June's recall order.
Nestle was drawn into its worst-ever crisis in India after food safety inspectors in Uttar Pradesh state found excess lead in some Maggi noodle samples.
That resulted in a nationwide recall of the products which authorities deemed "unsafe and hazardous."
Goa's Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) said it had sent Maggi samples to a government-approved laboratory for testing in June following the recall, resulting in the first such ruling since the noodles were pulled from stores.
"This is a total report and the lab testing shows that Maggi samples are in compliance with the food safety standards as per the Food Safety and Standards Rules," Goa FDA director Salim Veljee said by phone. "Lead is below permissible limits."
Nestle India Ltd did not immediately respond to request for comment on the FSSAI statement. It had declined to comment on the Goa state authorities' safety ruling earlier in the day.
Nestle India shares ended up 7.7 per cent versus a 0.6 per cent rise in the broader market. It reported a second-quarter loss last Wednesday after a plunge in sales following the recall.
"Nestle India is making all efforts and will continue to engage with authorities to bring Maggi Noodles back on the shelves," Managing Director Suresh Narayanan said last week.
Maggi noodles remained subject to a recall order in India after the country's federal food safety regulator declined to change its stance on the popular snack, despite Goa state finding no evidence of the excess lead detected by another state.
The federal regulator said on Wednesday it had not given any clean bill of health on the safety of Maggi noodles, made by an offshoot of foods group Nestle SA, and the Goa test reports would not have any bearing on June's recall order.
Nestle was drawn into its worst-ever crisis in India after food safety inspectors in Uttar Pradesh state found excess lead in some Maggi noodle samples.
That resulted in a nationwide recall of the products which authorities deemed "unsafe and hazardous."
Goa's Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) said it had sent Maggi samples to a government-approved laboratory for testing in June following the recall, resulting in the first such ruling since the noodles were pulled from stores.
"This is a total report and the lab testing shows that Maggi samples are in compliance with the food safety standards as per the Food Safety and Standards Rules," Goa FDA director Salim Veljee said by phone. "Lead is below permissible limits."
Nestle India Ltd did not immediately respond to request for comment on the FSSAI statement. It had declined to comment on the Goa state authorities' safety ruling earlier in the day.
Nestle India shares ended up 7.7 per cent versus a 0.6 per cent rise in the broader market. It reported a second-quarter loss last Wednesday after a plunge in sales following the recall.
"Nestle India is making all efforts and will continue to engage with authorities to bring Maggi Noodles back on the shelves," Managing Director Suresh Narayanan said last week.