Maggi noodles, the staple diet of many children, has come under scrutiny after samples collected in some parts of Uttar Pradesh showed added monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead in excess of the permissible limit, according to a report in Indiatimes.

Nestle, the Swiss company which manufactures Maggi, countered by stating that it does not add monosodium glutamate to the product, whereas presence of excess lead is “surprising” for the company.

The test results showed that Maggi contained 17 parts per million lead, whereas the permissible limit is 0.01ppm. Nestle says its records show lead content is negligible and less than 1 % of the fixed limit.

The regulators will be conducting more tests. I have a lot of respect for Nestle. However, till there is complete clarity on the issue, it may make sense to go easy on Maggi, especially while serving it to your children.

You can read the Indiatimes report here.

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