Measures strengthened for imposing ban on Maggi: Minister

Kerala government today said it has strengthened steps for enforcing the ban on Maggi, and all brands of instant noodles, including the imported ones have been tested.
The State Food Safety Commissioner had been directed to ensure that the banned food product was not available in all the 14 districts, state Food Minister V S Sivakumar said in a statement here.
So far, 90 per cent of Maggi noodles product have been removed from the state's markets in view of the ban imposed by Central health watchdog Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), following alleged detection of high lead content in samples tested in some states.

Cracking down on Swiss giant Nestle, the FSSAI had on Friday banned all variants of Maggi noodles terming them as "unsafe and hazardous" for human consumption.
The minister said noodle varieties of all brands, including those imported in Kerala market, have been tested by the state food department.
The second phase examination of the Maggi noodles samples collected from across the state was progressing, he said, adding, a report would be submitted to the Centre as and when results were available.
He also said a high-level meeting of officials to review the issue and coordinate steps for enforcing the ban would be held here tomorrow.

It was an offense to store or sell a banned product, he said, adding, any violation should be brought to the notice of respective district assistant food safety commissioners.