A day after banning Maggi noodles, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday said it will test samples of instant noodles across brands to ensure food safety. FSSAI, the food safety regulator, said it will also examine branded pasta and macaroni products, while asserting that it's not considering any action against brand ambassadors as of now.
"We will check all other instant noodles brands as well. Why should we restrict to one brand? We are drawing samples of other noodles brand," FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Yudhvir Singh Malik said.
While he did not name the brands, popular products include ITC's Sunfeast Yippee, Hindustan Unilever's Knorr and Nissin Foods' Top Ramen and Wai Wai from Nepal's Chaudhary Group.
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"On Monday, we will publish names of all brands of instant noodles, macaroni and pasta which have taken approval from FSSAI to sell their products. Samples of those brands will be collected for testing," Malik said. "The brands or products that have not taken approval are unauthorised and action would be contemplated against them," he said, adding "there would be many brands which have not taken approval from FSSAI". Friday, FSSAI had banned all variants of Nestle India's Maggi noodles, terming them as "unsafe and hazardous" for human consumption.
Asked about action against brand ambassadors, Malik said "not right now" and they must be given "benefit of doubt".
He, however, said the consumer affairs ministry can take action against the brand ambassadors. "They may or may not have an idea about the ingredients of the product but they should be sensitised and be aware about the product they are promoting," he added.
Mizoram govt to ban Maggi
The Mizoram government will ban import and sale of Maggi instant noodles in the state, Joint Director (food and drugs administration) of the state health department Lalsawma said on Saturday. He said the ban came after the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India declared the Maggi injurious to health. The order would be issued on Monday by the Food Safety Commissioner Dr K Ropari, he said, adding the state has banned import and sale of four energy drinks - Monster, Tzinga, Cloud 9 pomegranate/ grape and Akoarama.
Arunachal recalls 9 variants of Maggi
The Food Safety Commissioner of Arunachal Pradesh has directed all distributors, wholesellers and retailers of nine Maggi variants in the state to recall them, with immediate effect.
