Maggi In Hot Water After UP Slaps Rs 45 Lakh Fine On The Instant Noodle Maker For Excessive Ash

Everyone's favorite instant noodles 'Maggi' have once again found itself in a spot of bother after it failed a lab test in Uttar Pradesh.

The Uttar Pradesh government has slapped a combined fine of Rs 62 lakhs, out of which Rs 45 lakhs is on the manufacturer Nestle India, Rs 15 lakh on distributors and Rs 2 lakh each on two sellers after a lab test found presence of ash content higher than the permissible limit in samples of Maggi instant noodles.

BCCL

According to authorities, samples were collected last year in November from Shahjahanpur and sent for lab tests.

Maintaining that its noodles were safe to consume Nestle India in a statement blamed it on the application of incorrect standards.

"We strongly reiterate that MAGGI Noodles are 100% safe for consumption. While we have not received the orders passed by the adjudication officer, we have been informed that the samples are of the year 2015 and the issue pertains to 'ash content' in Noodles. This appears to be a case of application of incorrect standards, and we will file an appeal urgently once we receive the order. In 2015, Nestl¨¦ India and other companies had represented to the relevant authorities, via industry associations, to set standards specific to instant noodles to avoid confusion amongst enforcement officers and consumers. The standards have since been introduced and the product complies with these standards. We regret the confusion it may cause to consumers."

BCCL

The lab test results could not have come at the worst time for Nestle, as the company had been slowly gaining its momentum in the Indian markets back after it faced a nation-wide ban in 2015 following a series of quality test failures.

This was after lab tests in UP and West Bengal found an excess amount of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the noodle samples.

Following the ban, Nestle was forced to recall some 38,000 tonnes of Maggi branded products from stores.

BCCL

Even though it was reintroduced in the market later that year, Maggi was never able to find the same footing among its once loyal customer base.

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Adding to its troubles were other instant noodles brands like Baba Ramdev's Patanjali, Yippee noodles from ITC and Wai Wai which made the best out of Maggi's misfortunes.

With the latest lab test fail, the company could be bracing itself to face more scrutiny just like it face in 2015.