Maggie noodles Safe to eat?

by Carol Aloysius

As controversy rages over Nestle's popular Maggi Noodles now banned in several states across India, on alleged claims of containing high levels of lead and MSG, local health officials and scientists admit they are still gathering information on the local counterpart and any tests carried out would be released 'soon'.

"At present we are gathering information about the levels of MSG and Lead in the locally produced instant noodles. The research done in India can't be applied here," Head, Toxicology Information Unit, National Hospital, Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dr Waruna Gunathilake told the Sunday Observer.

Commenting in general on the health impacts of MSG and Lead in food from research done abroad, he said," Glutomate is a neuro toxin. Sodium elevates blood pressure and aggravates bronchial asthma. According to new evidence it has a direct link to diabetes mellitus. In children it affects their brain, liver and kidneys and could lead to multi-organ failure".

Health Ministry Food Administrative sources said, "We started doing some tests of our own . We hope to , release the results soon."

Industrial Technology Institute ( ITI) Assistant Director (Technical Services), A.S. Pannila said, "We too have initiated some tests last Friday. We expect to release the results by next week." He assured that the ITI had all the instruments to carry out such tests.

Consumer Affairs Authority sources said the noodles would remain on shop shelves but would be under extra scrutiny. So is Maggie Noodles, sold in our retail outlets safe to eat?

"Yes", says Nestles Sri Lanka. "MSG is a food additive made using natural plant based ingredients and does not contain wax in any form," the sources said.