After Maggi, other noodle brands under scanner in Karnataka

The state government had ordered all four units of Nestle in Karnataka to shut down or stop production immediately

With the Maggi row raging, the Karnataka government has brought other noodle manufacturing companies also under the scanner, ordering testing of their samples for safety standards. Any decision on banning Maggi would be taken only after getting supporting reports and government is also looking into the safety standards followed by other brands of noodles, Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader told reporters.

"Without any justification blindly no decision will betaken... we have sent about 24 samples of Maggi to NABL-accredited private laboratories in Karnataka because CFTRI lab at Mysuru had rejected our request for testing," he said. Khader said one company lab had given the report stating the led content is within the permissible limit.

"We are expecting reports from other labs on MSG on Monday", he added. Stating that the government has decided to get a report on cooked Maggi also, he said "once these reports come, as per the system we have decided to send it to CFTRI lab in West Bengal and from there we will get the clarity." After receiving the reports, Karnataka government will then decide whether to ban it or not, he added.

Karnataka government on Tuesday had ordered random lifting of samples of Maggi noodles from across the state for laboratory testing after allegations of lapses in food safety standards came to the fore. "Not only Maggi, because company is not important for us, what is important is whether noodles is healthy or unhealthy; for that we have taken (samples from) seven to eight companies also and our food officers will be giving it for testing, on the basis of the report we will be able to decide on action to be taken in the days to come," Khader said.

In line with a central government order, government had ordered all four units of Nestle in Karnataka to shut down or stop production immediately and withdraw stocks from the market, he said. India's food safety regulator yesterday ordered recall of all nine approved variants of Maggi instant noodles from the market and banned their production and sale, even as Nestle said "unfounded reasons" led to "confusion" over its safety.

Khader said all supermarkets and shops had been ordered not to sell Maggi or exhibit them and that a case would be booked according to the food safety act and action taken against those who violate it. During discussions with officials today, concerns were raised over energy drinks with some powders that claims to help gain weight or height, he said, adding, "We will look into this next.I want these companies to either set it right or withdraw now only, before there is a case on you."