After ban on Nestlé's Maggi noodles, the district health department has written to the commissioner of food safety, Punjab, recommending prohibition on the distribution and the sale of instant noodles manufactured by three other companies under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act-2006.
The samples of the three brands were collected from different food business operators of the district last month and sent for testing to the food analyst, Punjab, for testing. The brands included Sunfeast Yippee Noodles, manufactured by ITC Limited; Nissin Top Ramen Atta Noodles of Indo-Nissin Foods Ltd, and More Veg Atta Noodles of Aditya Birla Retail Ltd.
The analyst's report has found that these instant food samples contained Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), while manufacturers had 'misled' the consumers and 'misbranded' the products by printing on the packaging 'No MSG added', which is in violation of Section 24 of the FSS Act 2006/rules and regulations 2011. Hence, the manufacturers were guilty of 'misleading and misbranding'.
The law says that if the food packet contains 'MSG', it must be declared and printed on the packaging, as per the provisions of regulation 2.4.5 (18) (packaging and labelling regulations of the FSS Act 2006, rules and regulations 2011).
These samples were taken when Dr Surinder Singla was designated officer, food safety, and he had recommended a ban on the sale of instant noodle brands in public interest, following detection of MSG and in the light of the reports of the analyst. On promotion, Dr Singla is now assistant civil surgeon, Sangrur. The HT has access to the relevant documents.
{{/usCountry}}These samples were taken when Dr Surinder Singla was designated officer, food safety, and he had recommended a ban on the sale of instant noodle brands in public interest, following detection of MSG and in the light of the reports of the analyst. On promotion, Dr Singla is now assistant civil surgeon, Sangrur. The HT has access to the relevant documents.
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