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Maggi Brand Ambassadors Can Be Liable If Ads Are Found Misleading, Says Govt

Celebrities Who Endorsed Maggi Can Be Liable If Ads Are Found Misleading, Says Govt
Maggi Noodles Rice Mania, Chili Chow. The peas and sliced chicken sausages are my improvisation ;-)Maggi noodles have been the staple of millions of Indian households when it comes to fast-cook food. Thinking of the number of resident scholars (aka hostellers), working people and snackers who turn to Maggi noodles for the most awesome 2-minute food available is mind boggling.I've always respected Nestle's skill in making processed and semi-processed foods and the introduction of wheat flour and rice noodles (not to forget Lean Cuisine) takes that respect up a few notches.Featured chopsticks graciously provided by teemus.
code_martial/Flickr
Maggi Noodles Rice Mania, Chili Chow. The peas and sliced chicken sausages are my improvisation ;-)Maggi noodles have been the staple of millions of Indian households when it comes to fast-cook food. Thinking of the number of resident scholars (aka hostellers), working people and snackers who turn to Maggi noodles for the most awesome 2-minute food available is mind boggling.I've always respected Nestle's skill in making processed and semi-processed foods and the introduction of wheat flour and rice noodles (not to forget Lean Cuisine) takes that respect up a few notches.Featured chopsticks graciously provided by teemus.

The government of India today said that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is testing more Maggi samples collected from different states in the wake of Uttar Pradesh FSDA finding monosodium glutamate and lead in excess of the prescribed limit in the instant noodles.

The food safety inspectors in UP have filed a criminal complaint against Nestle's Indian arm, after spot checks earlier this year found excess lead in some packets of Maggi instant noodles, according to Reuters.

FSSAI is testing samples of Maggi collected from different states; reports expected in 2-3 days: Govt.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 1, 2015

According to PTI, the tests on the instant noodles are expected in the next two to three days. But Consumer Affairs Additional Secretary G Gurucharan said the Maggi brand ambassadors will also be liable for action if the advertisements are found to be misleading.

Maggi brand ambassadors will also be liable for action if advertisements are found to be misleading: Govt.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 1, 2015

"We will review the reports of higher monosodium glutamate (MSG) found in Nestle's Maggi noodles. We will look into the matter and decide on a course of action after the investigation," the Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan told Business Today.

Elaborating on the steps taken by the government on the issue, Gurucharan said: "FSSAI has taken samples from all states. Testings are being done. Some reports are expected today and within 2-3 days we will get complete reports."

Maggi noodles came under the scanner last month after the UP Food Safety and Drug Administration asked Nestle India to withdraw a batch of Maggi noodles "which were manufactured in February 2014" after it found presence of non-essential taste enhancer MSG and high levels of lead in the samples.

Last week a case was lodged against Nestle India by UP food regulator FSDA in a local court at Barabanki in UP over safety standards of its Maggi noodles, while actors Amitabh Bachhan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta were also separately dragged to court for promoting the 'two-minute' noodles brand, reported PTI.

(With inputs from agencies)

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.