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.
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."
Also Read
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.
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.
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.