All states should test other brands of instant noodles: Online poll

The ban on Nestle's Maggi and other top noodle brands by various state governments has eroded consumer confidence in branded food products, results of online polls conducted by Hindustan Times showed on Friday.

The ban on Nestle's Maggi and other top noodle brands by various state governments has eroded consumer confidence in branded food products, results of online polls conducted by Hindustan Times showed on Friday.

An overwhelming 94.96% said all state governments should test other brands of instant noodles and popular snacks to verify whether they conform to food safety standards.

The public sentiment was echoed by regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)which has now ordered state governments to check all noodle products made in the country.

In another poll, as many as 77.04% of respondents said that after the ban on Maggi over unsafe levels of lead and taste enhancer monosodium glutamate ( MSG), they did not trust branded food products any longer. About 14.5% said the ban was an isolated event and that there was no need to distrust all brands of snacks.

Over 71.5% said in another poll that after the ban they have stopped eating Maggi altogether, while the rest remained loyal supporters of the instant noodles brand. They may have to wait for a while now, as Nestle has decided to pull off the product from shelves across the country.

In a fourth poll, 76.71% of respondents felt celebrities should be held responsible for the authenticity of the brands they endorsed because the fans trust them.

Over 20% said it was unfair to hold celebrities responsible for the products they endorse as they were just lending their name for money.

Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta who endorsed Maggi faced flak on social media after the brand was banned by Delhi and other state governments.