Maha awaiting test results on Maggi samples

Mumbai: The state branch of Food and Drug Administration is awaiting results of a series of tests on Maggi noodles to ascertain the quantity of lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) following similar tests in Uttar Pradesh that led to a recall of two lakh packets.

FDA commissioner Dr Harshdeep Kamble said, “The packets analysed in UP had crossed their expiry date. We have randomly picked up stocks from Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur that have not expired yet. If the product has high lead content, requisite action will be taken.”

According to tests conducted on Maggi noodles in UP, the product contained seven times more than the permissible limits of lead. Additionally it also had high levels of MSG, a taste enhancer allowed in certain quantities in products such as ketchup.

The FDA officials, however, admitted that the Food and Security Act does not specify the methodology to test MSG quantity in a product which has created confusion about the minimum permissible limits.