The preliminary lab test of samples conducted by Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DoFTQC) has found MSG test enhancer in Maggi and other domestic noodles which claim to content 'zero percent' MSG.
As excessive use of MSG weakens skeleton system and has many other side effects, use of MSG in 'zero MSG' product is taken as an illegal act. The permissible use of MSG in noodles is 1 percent.The test, however, did not find lead in samples of Maggi as well as other local noodle brands. Lab tests in India had showed Maggi contained seven times more lead than the permissible limit. The permissible limit of lead in noodles is 2.5 ppm (parts per million).
"None of the samples we tested till Saturday evening had lead and MSG higher than the permissible limit," a source at DoFTQC told Republica said, adding, "We, however, have found MSG content in samples of 'zero MSG' Maggi and samples of some domestic noodle brands."
According to the source, use of MSG without informing consumers is illegal and hence is a punishable offence. The source further added that these brands can be banned as per the Food Act, 2023.
DoFTQC is organizing a press conference on Monday to make public result of lab test of samples of Maggi and some local noodle brands.
Following the ban on Maggi in different Indian states, the government had put a ban on sales and import of Maggi noodle on June 4 until further notice. The government had then started testing of Maggi as well as other locally manufactured noodles. DoFTQC had collected samples of Maggi noodles from different Indian states and domestic noodles from the market.
The source also informed that some domestic noodle brand and Maggi did not have mandatory health warning. "Noodles brands using MSG should contain message that the product should not be fed to children below one year," the source said. "We will decide fate of these noodle brands once we get full report of the lab test."
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