UP lab now finds Maggi pasta unsafe, lead beyond permissible limit

NEW DELHI: NEW DELHI: Foods maker Nestle landed in more trouble late on Friday after a Uttar Pradesh laboratory alleged that samples of its pasta were found to have lead beyond permissible limits. Pasta samples collected from Nestle distributor Sriji Traders in UP on June 10 were sent to a government laboratory in Lucknow, Arvind Yadav, designated officer at Food and Drug Administration, Mau, was quoted as saying in various media reports.

"After Maggi, the sample of macroni pasta was taken from Mau and sent to National Food Analysis Laboratory, Lucknow, in which lead was found to be much more that the permissible limit," he was quoted as saying.

"According to report received on September 2, they failed the tests," he added. According to him, the report has been sent to the FDA commissioner in Lucknow on October 12 for sanction to lodge a case and in case it is received, it will be filed in the court.

A Nestle spokesperson said that its pasta was 100 per cent safe.

"The finished product and raw materials used to make it undergo rigorous testing during every stage of the manufacturing process. We have not received any formal notification from the authorities in UP or from the FSSAI about such test results," the spokesperson said.

He added that Nestle will work with the authorities to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.