Singapore resumes sale of India-made Maggi noodles

Singapore, Jun 9: Singapore has allowed the sale of Maggi noodles manufactured in India after safety tests by food authorities here found that the popular instant snack does not pose any health risk to consumers. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) informed local importers that sale of the brand’s noodles from India may be resumed, The Straits Times reported. AVA had last week advised importers to withhold sales while it conducted laboratory tests, following concerns over higher-than-permissible levels of lead in the product. Results from AVA’s laboratory tests, which cover “a wide range of hazards associated with food” showed that the India-made Maggi instant noodles meet local food safety standards, the report said. The AVA had cleared the India-made Maggi noodles last night.
The authorities also tested Maggi instant noodles produced in other countries and results revealed that these meet the food safety requirements too, the report added. Food products that fail tests will not be allowed for sale, the AVA had earlier said. Singapore has imported “a small amount” of the brand’s noodles manufactured in India. On June 3, India temporarily banned the sale of the popular instant noodles after excess levels of lead were found in samples tested in New Delhi and in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.Lead content in 14 of 27 samples in India was found to be 2.8 PPM to 5 PPM (particle per million), which is above the prescribed limit of 2.5 PPM. Presence of excess lead is harmful for health. Switzerland-based food group Nestle had said in a statement on June 5 that its noodles are completely safe but it had decided to take the products off the shelves. The Nestle statement said the popular Maggi noodles will make a comeback “as soon as the current situation is clarified”.