Nestle Singapore says Maggi noodles safe after lead content fears

SINGAPORE — Nestle Singapore has come out to assure consumers that all its products are manufactured under stringent conditions that meet local and international standards and are safe for consumption.

The company’s statement comes a day after the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) told importers to temporarily withhold sales of Nestle’s Maggi brand instant noodles from India as a precautionary measure following the finding by authorities there of high lead content in the product.

The AVA said although Singapore did not import Maggi brand oat products produced in India, a small amount of Maggi brand instant noodles produced in India have been imported. “As a precautionary measure, AVA has taken samples of ‘Maggi’ brand instant noodles manufactured in India for food safety tests and advised affected importers to withhold sale until our tests are complete,” said a spokesperson.

In a statement today (June 5), Nestle Singapore said its product ingredients “fully comply with local food laws and regulations”. There are also thorough quality checks at each stage of its raw material sourcing and manufacturing process, it added.

“In line with this, Nestle Singapore regularly monitors the level of lead as part of our stringent quality control processes, including testing by accredited laboratories. These tests have consistently confirmed that all products are in full compliance with local food laws and regulations,” said the company.

The Food Safety and Drug Administration in Uttar Pradesh had found lead content of 17.2 parts per million (ppm) in routine tests on the instant noodles — seven times the legal limit. India banned their sale for 15 days after high levels of lead were found in batches tested in New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh state.