Maggi has been Nestle’s most popular product since one can remember. Mostly in news for all the good reasons, this time around, the brand has come under the scanner on account of inclusion of banned products in the preparation of the product. After performing some tests on Maggi, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) found out it has monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead more than the permissible limit.
According to market reports, the inquiry was started by the Lucknow Food Safety and Drug Administration. They wrote to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) asking them to cancel Maggi’s license. The FSDA has also tested samples at Kolkata’s referral laboratory and have found MSG and lead in excess.
Test results showed Maggi containing 17 parts per million lead, whereas the permissible limit is 0.01ppm. Nestle says its records show lead content is negligible and less than 1 % of the fixed limit.
Reports also claim that Nestle has denied the allegations and has said that they do not add MSG or lead to the noodles, and the glutamate present in the product may have been found from naturally occurring sources. They have also said that there is no specified limit for MSG or glutamate in edible products.
These allegations on one of India’s most popular products come at a time when no one refrains from reacting to any news, let alone such strong accusations. Consumers took to Twitter as soon as reports of Maggi’s so-called truth came out. Here are some excerpts:
Ref: Maggi under scanner for high quantities of MSG and lead; reactions pour on Twitter
Post MSG controversy, Maggi initiates Mass Auto-Response protocol
‘Maggi’ under regulatory scanner for lead, MSG beyond permissible limit - The Times of India
