On Friday, as Nestle's global CEO Paul Bulcke asserted in Delhi that Maggi noodles are "safe to eat", central food safety regulator FSSAI said laboratory tests have found overwhelming evidence that the instant noodles are "unsafe and hazardous" for human consumption.
The FSSAI or Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued a series of orders to Nestle, including withdrawing nine versions of its Maggi instant noodles and another product that, it said, was being sold without product approval. The regulator said it reserves the right to prosecute.
In a notice issued after a meeting with Mr Bulcke on Thursday, the regulator also said it was evident that Nestle had failed to comply with its obligations under India's food safety laws.
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Mr Bulcke said the company had tested 1000 batches of the noodles in the last few days and "all results of our tests indicate Maggi noodles are safe for consumption."
"We have the same quality standards and safety procedures everywhere in the world," he said at a press conference that came hours after Nestle, in a midnight announcement, said it was temporarily recalling its Maggi noodles, which has been under country-wide scrutiny for high lead content and mono-sodium glutamate or MSG, a taste enhancer.
Mr Bulcke said the company had withdrawn the noodles in India because "we feel the consumer was distressed. We are a company that relies on the trust of the consumer," Nestle's top executive said, adding, "We will do whatever it takes to clarify unfounded confusion...We will engage with authorities to clarify the issues."
He said the company was "Trying to learn why there's difference in test results carried out in other laboratories and ours. There is confusion about how you test... if we put them together, we can see why a difference in test results."
The FSSAI or Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued a series of orders to Nestle, including withdrawing nine versions of its Maggi instant noodles and another product that, it said, was being sold without product approval. The regulator said it reserves the right to prosecute.
In a notice issued after a meeting with Mr Bulcke on Thursday, the regulator also said it was evident that Nestle had failed to comply with its obligations under India's food safety laws.
RELATED
Food Safety Regulator FSSAI's Statement Ordering Recall of 9 Variants of Maggi Noodles
Madhya Pradesh Bans Sale of Maggi Noodles
We Will Remove 'No MSG' from the Maggi Noodles Label: Nestle's Global CEO
Mr Bulcke said the company had tested 1000 batches of the noodles in the last few days and "all results of our tests indicate Maggi noodles are safe for consumption."
"We have the same quality standards and safety procedures everywhere in the world," he said at a press conference that came hours after Nestle, in a midnight announcement, said it was temporarily recalling its Maggi noodles, which has been under country-wide scrutiny for high lead content and mono-sodium glutamate or MSG, a taste enhancer.
Mr Bulcke said the company had withdrawn the noodles in India because "we feel the consumer was distressed. We are a company that relies on the trust of the consumer," Nestle's top executive said, adding, "We will do whatever it takes to clarify unfounded confusion...We will engage with authorities to clarify the issues."
He said the company was "Trying to learn why there's difference in test results carried out in other laboratories and ours. There is confusion about how you test... if we put them together, we can see why a difference in test results."
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