More instant food products to come under the scanner

More instant food products to come under the scanner

NEW DELHI: Even as the ban on Nestle’s Maggi continues and food safety authorities are examining other brands of noodles, pasta and macaroni, many more popular packaged snacks including various brands of chips and Kurkure are to be checked for their contents.

 

Meanwhile, while refusing to stay the 5 June order of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) relating to Maggi, the Bombay High Court has questioned why the authorities have charged brand ambassadors.

 

While directing that Maggi will remain off the shelves till 30 June but no action to be taken against Nestle without giving 72 hours notice, the Court noted that many stores in the city had still not removed the product from their shelves.  The Centre and FSSAI were asked to file their reply to Nestle’s petition within two weeks.

 

In Delhi, the FSSAI has collected 32 samples of popular brands of chips, Kurkure and baby food for testing and will pick more in the days to come. The report for this batch is expected in a week’s time, according to Delhi Food Safety commissioner K K Jindal.

 

Health supplements, energy drinks and imported packaged foods are already being tested.

 

Medical experts said metals like lead or toxins in food may not have any effect immediately, but can even affect the mind as the child grows older.