FSSAI advises noodle companies to test products

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a Statutory Authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006) has advised all (seven) companies who are manufacturing and supplying Noodles, Pastas and Macaroni (with Tastemaker) to draw samples of the food products (if not already taken) and take action as per provisions of FSS Act and other applicable laws (including IPC).

Y. S. Malik, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI has requested to complete this task on priority and send a report to the authority at the earliest, preferably by June 19, 2015.

This advisory was issued today by FSSAI as various test results on Maggi and some other similar products have raised serious health concerns. In view of the same, FSSAI noted that it would be advisable to draw regulatory samples for similar products for which product approvals have been granted by the FSSAI. These samples should be sent to the authorised labs for testing as per the testing parameters.

In the advisory, FSSAI asked seven companies namely – Ruchi International, C G Foods India, Glaxosmithekline Consumer Healthcare, Nestle India, AA Nutrition, Indo Nissin Food and ITC, having 33 variants of Noodles, Pastas and Macaroni (with Tastemaker), to ensure that such products are recalled, removed from the market and destroyed, if the food items not found conforming to the applicable standards.

The seven companies have 33 variants of noodles, pastas and macaroni available in the Indian market – Ruchi International (Koka Instant Noodles), C G Foods India (3 variants – 1. Wai Wai 123 chicken Noodles, 2. Wai Wai Mama Punte chicken Bhujiya (Wai Wai Triangle Bhujiya chichen snacks), 3. Wai Wai 123 Veg Noodles), Glaxosmithekline Consumer Healthcare (10 variants – 1. Foodles crazy curry 2. Foodles mast masala, 3. Foodles- spicy treat, 4. Foodles- tomatter flavour, 5. foodles 4 grain-curry in a hurry, 6. Foodles 4 grain- slice of spice, 7. Foodles 4 grain ala masala, 8. Foodles 4 grain- carrot and spinch noodles, 9. Foodles 4 grain- carrot noodle, 10. Foodles 4 grain- tomatter flavour (instant noodles with seasoning powder)), Nestle India (Maggi Nuti-licious Pazzta with Taste Maker: (4 variants viz.) 1. Tomato Twist pazzta, 2. Cheese Macaroni Pazzta, 3. Masala Penne Pazzta, 4. Mushroom Penne Pazzta), AA Nutrition (2 variants – 1. Yummy chicken (instant) noodles/ bits, 2. Yummy veg noodles/ bits), Indo Nissin Food (Top Ramen Atta Masala), ITC (3 variants) -1. Instant Noodles and magic masala, 2. Instant Noodles and classic masala, 3. Instant Noodles and Chinese masala), Nestle India (Instant Noodles with Taste Maker (9 variants) 1. Maggi Xtra Delicious Chicken Noodles, 2. Maggi Thrillin Curry 3. Maggi Cuppa Mania Chilli Chow Masala YO 4. Maggi Cuppa Mania Masala YO 5. Magi 2- minute Masala Noodle/ Maggi Hungarooo 6. Maggi Vegetable Multigrainz Noodles 7. Maggi Vegetable Atta Noodles 8. Maggi Xtra Delicious Magical Masala Noodles 9. Magi 2-minute Masala Dumdaar Noodle).

As per FSS Act, the permissible metal contaminants for noodles, pastas, macaroni are- Lead (2.5 mg/kg), Copper (3.0 mg/kg), Arsenic (1.1 mg/kg), Mercury (1.0 mg/kg), Tin (250 mg/kg), Cadmium (1.5 mg/kg) and Zinc (50 mg/kg).

Limits on following parameters (Absent -as per FSS Regulations)

1. Physical examination for moulds, living and dead insects, insect fragments and rodent contamination (hair, excreta) and fungus visible to the naked eye
2. Rancidity and musty odour
3. Test for added Natural colours (Curcumin, Riboflavin, Chlorophyll, Beta carotene, Carotene (Natural extract), Annatto extract (Bixin), Beta apo-8 carotenal, Methyl ester of Beta apo-8 carotenoic acid, Canthaxanthin, Caramel colours (Plain), Caramel colours (Ammonium Sulphite process)
4. Test for synthetic colors (Ponceau 4R, Carmoisine, Erythrosine, Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow FCF, Indigo carmine, brilliant blue FCF, Fast green FCF)
5. Test for preservatives (Benzoic acid and its salts, Sorbic acid ad its salts, Sulphur di oxide)
6. Test for anti-oxidants (BHA aand TBHQ)