Sri Lanka Nestle Unit Assures MAGGI Meets Food Laws; India Keeps Testing
Jun 03, 2015 (LBO) – Nestle Lanka Plc, a unit of a Swiss-based food group said, that the company’s product “Maggi Noodles” which is manufactured locally, meets all the food laws in the Indian Ocean Island.
“The quality and safety of our products is the top priority for the company,” Nestle Lanka said.
“MAGGI Noodles is locally produced at our factory in Pannala, Kurunegala, maintaining all the food laws and regulations applicable for Sri Lanka.”
The Nestle India faced a troublesome period after Indian authorities claimed to have established that Maggi noodles contains excessive levels of lead in MAGGI noodles.
However, Nestle India denied claims saying that extensive testing has revealed no excess lead in tested noodles.
“We have submitted samples of MAGGI Noodles from almost 600 product batches to an external laboratory for independent analysis and we tested samples from almost 1,000 batches at our accredited laboratory,” Nestle India said in a statement.
Indian Media has reported that shares in Nestle India dropped as much as 11.5 per cent on Wednesday (03) amid a raging controversy about Maggi noodles, which has come under a country-wide scrutiny for high content of lead and mono-sodium glutamate or MSG, a taste enhancer.
Today, Tamil Nadu, India has decided to send MAGGI to the labs to check for levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead.
Sri Lanka’s unit of Nestle manufactures a range of “Maggie” products, namely Maggi Bouillon Cubes, Maggi Noodles, Maggi Seasoning and Maggi Real Coconut Milk Powder.
“We regularly monitor our products and raw materials for food safety as part of our stringent quality control processes, including testing by accredited laboratories,” Nestle Lanka said.
“These tests have consistently shown MAGGI Noodles to be compliant with all food safety norms and safe for consumption by the entire family.”
When contacted, an official at the Consumer Affairs Authority told LBO that it has not received any complaints with regard to the noodles and tests will be only done when there is a complaint.
Great news. Now only if they could bring the dollar back to <120…
It is a sad testament of Sri Lanka’s government that there is no highly paid and highly competent bureaucracy. This is why each set of UNP or PA politicos come up with various hare-brained schemes. Around 1992 it was the WTC and now the Port City. How will people commute to the Port City? Will they fly in on a broomstick?
What is actually going on with this megalopolis mambo jumbo? There isn’t even a single published plan about this project to be found anywhere in government websites. All we have is bunch of impressions that how it should be, How can anyone go this far without a detailed plan. I am a Sri Lankan expat here in US and worked my entire life in Investment Banking sector, it is unbelievable how shallow these governments and ministers act when it comes to the economic development.
A project that going to cost 40 Billion USD, not even a plan or at least a rough draft about timelines and budget allocations, it is like walking in the total darkness hoping not to trip, bump or fall in to the abyss…. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?????
There was definitely a noticeable difference in the texture in noodles in the recent months and one wondered the reason for this. The contents were harder in texture and shiny. This certainly was not the usual ready to eat noodles that was marketed. These accusations , if proved should be followed and those responsible should be prosecuted and not allowed to interfere in the coarse of justice in whatever manner.
I do NOT believe what Nestle Sri Lanka says about their Noodle products do not contain high content of LEAD and MONO-SODIUM GLUTAMATE or MSG which is added enhance the taste. I challenge Nestle Lanka (PLC) to publish their so called reports obtained from the so-called accredited laboratories. Let them also make public the names of these so-called accredited laboratories and the countries where these labs are located. We in Sri Lanka should thank the Tamil Nadu government/authorities/media for revealing this information about the Nestle Noodles and for warning us of the dangers of eating Nestle Noodle that can become the cause for CANCER spreading so rapidly, both in India and Sri Lanka.
Noor Nizam.
Peace Activist & Political Communication Researcher.
Can someone tell me what are the ingredients that Sri Lankan maggi use? Glad to see LBO is firing up again.well-done