EditorU.T. Khader, Health Minister said that the retesting is necessary as the reports of same food sample have shown varying results. All the samples were tested in different laboratories across the state. He said, “We don’t know which lab to believe. Varying reports and absence of clarity in the Food Safety and Standards Act on the permissible levels of these substances are confusing. So we need to get a retest.” For the time being the ban on the instant food will continue as directed by the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). However, after the new reports have been obtained by the state we’ll come to know the final decision.
According to some sources in the Food Safety Division said that 3 samples of Maggi had been tested for toxic substances by CFL, Kolkata which were taken from Bengaluru Rural and Gadag). Out these two were ruled out to be “unfit” for consumption. A senior official said, “Of the three samples, the report of just one sample said the product is safe. Of the other two, one sample was found to be mis-labeled as although it had traces of MSG, the label did not mention it. The same sample also exhibited the presence of aluminium (0.119 ppm) and hence it was termed as unsafe. The third sample showed the presence of both lead (2.6 ppm) and aluminium (0.24 ppm) and has been termed unsafe. But the laboratory authorities have not explained as to why the sample is unsafe (is it because of lead or aluminium?). So we will write to them seeking a clarification.”
Editorial Staff
Zainab Asif
