Food scare: Eight out of 12 ‘MSG-free’ noodles tested contain MSG

Sources in the food safety department said they have tested at least three brands of instant noodles besides Nestle, where these anomalies were first found.

[related-post]

“We have tested six samples of one brand, of which five were found to have MSG, even though there was a clear declaration on their label that their product was MSG-free. In another brand, both samples tested had the same problem,” a senior official in the food safety department said.

For a third brand, the only sample tested was found to have slightly high lead. There were one or two other brands of which all the samples were found to be within permissible limits,” the official said.

Sources said the companies were yet to be notified of the results of the tests. “We are in the process of sending notices to companies. After we notify them, if they contest the results, we will send the samples to Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysore, which is our designated referral laboratory under the union health ministry. After that, a final decisions on penalties will be taken by the health department,” the official said.
Sources said the health department will be informed about the test results on Tuesday, and notices will also be sent to the respective companies.

Earlier, of 13 samples of Maggi, 10 had lead content and five were found to have MSG. On June 8, the FSSAI had ordered state food commissioners to test samples of instant noodles for companies which had been granted product approvals by FSSAI.

“We will be continuing our focus on processed and packaged foods. We are awaiting reports of more instant noodles. After this, we will be moving to nutraceticals and diet supplements and energy drinks,” the official said.