Maggi test results to be known by weekend: Tamil Nadu official

Chennai: Results of sample tests on Maggi to determine Monosodium Glutamate(MSG) and lead contents being conducted by the Tamil Nadu government are expected by the weekend and would be sent to the Centre, a top official said here today.

"The next course of action will be based on the findings of the nature of results that we get and the action will be in tune with the law (Food Safety and Standards Act)," the Food Safety official said.

"We have sent Maggi samples to test the levels of MSG and lead and the results are expected by this week end," he said.

A report will be sent to the Centre as well, he added.

Asked on the parameters that was being looked into in the tests, he said,"there are set scientific parameters for such products and it will be examined as per norms."

Random samples have been picked up from "several locations" in Tamil Nadu and it has been sent for testing.

The official indicated that as of now no directions have been issued to remove stocks of Maggi from the retail shops in Tamil Nadu.

He declined to comment on reported presence of larvae and insects in a "NAN PRO 3" (also a brand of Nestle) milk power tin as complained by a consumer based in Coimbatore.

The State food safety wing in Coimbatore tested the NAN PRO3 milk powder bought by a cab driver and the initial report by one of its food analysts found live larvae in the sample.

Reacting to the report, Nestle India in a statement in Chennai, said the company had not been contacted over the milk powder issue either by the consumer or the authorities.

"Our manufacturing technology excludes the possibility of insects living and surviving in the sealed package in which this product is sold," it said.

Nestle said it was making every effort to obtain needed information to investigate the consumer complaint".

Tamil Nadu government decided to send Maggi to the labs following reports that it had ingredients like MSG beyond the stipulated levels in tests conducted by Uttar Pradesh and in some other parts of the country.

Uttar Pradesh and Kerala have already ordered the retailers in their states to take the product off their shelves.

The Central Government had made it clear yesterday that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is testing more Maggi samples.