Singapore Finds India-Made Maggi Noodles Safe To Eat

 

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) informed local importers that sale of the brand's noodles from India may be resumed, The Straits Times reported.

 

AVA had last week advised importers to withhold sales while it conducted laboratory tests, following concerns over higher-than-permissible levels of lead in the product.

 

Results from AVA's laboratory tests, which cover "a wide range of hazards associated with food" showed that the India-made Maggi instant noodles meet local food safety standards, the report said.

 

The AVA had cleared the India-made Maggi noodles on Monday night.

 

The authorities also tested Maggi instant noodles produced in other countries and results revealed that these meet the food safety requirements too, the report added.

 

Food products that fail tests will not be allowed for sale, the AVA had earlier said.

 

Singapore has imported "a small amount" of the brand's noodles manufactured in India.

 

On June 3, India temporarily banned the sale of the popular instant noodles after excess levels of lead were found in samples tested in New Delhi and in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

 

Lead content in 14 of 27 samples in India was found to be 2.8 PPM to 5 PPM (particle per million), which is above the prescribed limit of 2.5 PPM. Presence of excess lead is harmful for health.

 

Nestle has been under fire in India since the Uttar Pradesh regulator said in May that it had found evidence of excess lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in some packets of Maggi instant noodles, a cheap and hugely popular snack.

 

India's national food safety regulator said on Friday that laboratory tests had found overwhelming evidence that Nestle India's instant noodle products are "unsafe and hazardous" for human consumption.

 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India also said it was evident that Nestle had failed to comply with its obligations under India's food safety laws.

 

Nestle has announced the temporary recall of its Maggi noodles across India.

 

Sales of Maggi in India represent roughly 0.005 per cent of Nestle's global revenue of almost 92 billion Swiss francs ($98.6 billion), but the brand damage could extend further, and Chief Executive Paul Bulcke has acknowledged the company had fallen short.

 

(Agencies)