Nestle Restarts Production of Maggi Noodles at 3 Plants in India

India's food safety watchdog slapped a nationwide ban on Nestle's Maggi noodles in June 2015, saying lead levels exceeded statutory limits. But the Bombay High Court overturned the ruling two months later, calling it 'arbitrary' and ordered fresh tests. Nestle said, "The laboratory tests had found that Maggi noodles were safe to eat. We have restarted production of Maggi noodles in India after a government ban was overturned, in a major step towards getting the hugely popular brand back on shelves." The Swiss food giant said, "We have resumed manufacturing of Maggi Noodles at three of our plants, at Nanjangud (Karnataka), Moga (Punjab) and Bicholim (Goa)." In a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange, Nestle's Indian arm added, "Fresh samples from the newly produced batches will be sent for testing. We shall commence sale only after the samples are cleared by these laboratories."

Although it's not clear when the noodles will be back in Indian shops, an official at the company said, "The testing process would take a few weeks."

Nestle had sold the product for over three decades in India, and had 80% of the country's instant noodle market before the ban. The company has always maintained that their product was safe to eat, and has continued to sell it in other countries.

Source-AFP