UP govt lab finds maggi pasta unfit for consumption

After Maggi noodles, Nestle's pasta has now landed in trouble as its samples, tested at a state-owned food testing laboratory, were found to be carrying lead beyond the permissible limits, a state government official said on 28 November.

Pasta samples collected from Nestle distributor -- Sriji Traders -- in Mau on 10 June were sent to a government food testing laboratory in Lucknow, said Arvind Yadav, Designated Officer at Food and Drug Administration Mau.

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

"According to report received on 2 September, they failed the tests," the officer said.

"The standard limit is 2.5 PPM (parts per million) while it has been found to be 6 PPM. The letter informing the Nestle company sent at its Modinagar address has come back here undelivered," Mr Yadav said.

Mr Yadav also showed the undelivered letter to media.

"On the basis of the report this food product now comes under the 'unsafe food category," he said.

"The report has been sent to the FDA Commissioner (Lucknow) on 12 October for sanction to lodge a case and in case it is received it will be filed in the court of the CJM here," Mr Yadav said.

The official, to questions, said, "It can also lead to banning the product."

"They (Nestle) were sent a letter over a month ago intimating them about the results. They had a month's time to appeal against the test but the letter sent by the FDA was not received by the company and was returned here," Mr Yadav said.

District Magistrate Vaibhav Srivasatav also said, "The sample which has failed the test is of June and we will taken immediate action on the directives... we are in touch (with the authorities) on phone."

Meanwhile, Nestle India today said its products are safe for consumption and it was not aware of any test.

"We are not aware of any analysis reports for Pazzta supposedly picked up from Sriji Traders," said a Nestle India spokesperson.

"The Pazzta manufactured by us is 100 per cent safe and there is absolutely no concern on lead. Therefore, we need to see the contents of reports and we also need to confirm whether these supposed tests have been conducted at FSSAI Notified and NABL accredited laboratory that has the expertise and is certified for testing lead under the Food Safety and Standards Act," Nestle India said.

-PTI