Tests of Maggi noodles by Delhi, Kerala authentic: FSSAI

New Delhi: Food safety regulator FSSAI today said it need not wait for test reports from all the 29 states to take action against Nestle's Maggi instant noodles even as it asked Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab to do tests again.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Chairman Yudhvir Singh Malik said tests done by Delhi and Kerala were found to be "absolutely authentic" and the states have taken steps accordingly.

"As a national regulator we have to look at it, I may not need to wait for the reports from all the 29 states but I must have a representative kind (of tests reports)," Malik said when asked if the FSSAI was contemplating action against Nestle's 'two-minutes' instant noodles.

He further said FSSAI would also give the company a chance to explain its position before deciding on any action.

On the banning of Maggi by Delhi and Kerala, Malik said: "Delhi reports are absolutely authentic reports, Kerala reports are absolutely authentic reports. The two states have taken a call it is for them to take a decision what to do with it."

He, however, said it wasn't the case with Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.

"We have also received food reports from Goa, which were found to be inappropriate food reports. We have already sent them back," he said.

On reports from Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, he said they were found to be wanting and "so they have been requested to take it back and give us proper test report, which will take 2-3 days".

A country-wide probe is being conducted against the 'two-minute' instant noodles for alleged presence of lead and taste enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) beyond permissible limits.