ITC to remove ‘no added MSG’ disclaimer from Yippee noodles
17 Jun 2015 11:25 PM GMT
Diversified business conglomerate ITC would remove the disclaimer “no added MSG” from packets of its instant noodles sold under Sunfeast Yippee brand following recent directions by the central food safety regulator FSSAI.
According to the company, under the Food Safety Standards Act, if a manufacturer adds MSG (Monosodium glutamate) in its product, then only the quantum of MSG has to be declared.
Moreover, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in connection with noodles of another brand, had held that such statement of having no MSG was “inappropriate”, ITC said in a statement.
“Therefore, ITC is voluntarily taking steps to remove the phrase ‘no added MSG’ from its labels in its new batches of packaging and consumers should ignore this on the current packaging. ITC would like to once again assure consumers that MSG is not added to Sunfeast YiPPee! Noodles,” ITC said.
It added: “In recent weeks, there has been some confusion about the manner of declaration of MSG in packaged food items”.
“Under the FSS Act, if a manufacturer adds MSG to the product, the quantum of MSG so added needs to be declared.
“Since no MSG is added in Yippee noodles, the packages carried a statement to that effect, i.e., “contains no added MSG,” it added.
On June 8, ITC had said that it was conducting more tests on its products at accredited labs across India over and above internal tests to reassure its customers over safety in the wake of Maggi issue.
FSSAI has ordered testing of various noodles, pasta and macaroni brands, including Top Ramen, <g data-gr-id="28">Foodles</g> and <g data-gr-id="29">Wai</g> Wai, manufactured by seven companies to check compliance of norms in the wake of Maggi controversy.
As per the FSSAI order, the companies whose products have been listed for testing are Nestle India, ITC, Indo Nissin Food Ltd, GSK Consumer Healthcare, CG Foods India, Ruchi International and AA Nutrition Ltd.
Ban on Maggi to have no impact on bottom line: Uflex
Packaging firm Uflex, which supplies packing material to Nestle’s Maggi, on <g data-gr-id="63">Tuesday</g> said its revenue would be not be affected by the recent ban on the instant noodles brand. The company in a statement said that <g data-gr-id="53">its</g> packaging portfolio is evenly spread out among several top notch brands and the Maggi as part of its portfolio does not add significantly to its bottom line.
“In the wake of recent developments surrounding Maggi noodles, we would like to clarify that the recent incidents pertaining to Maggi does not affect the <g data-gr-id="56">bottomline</g> of Uflex in any way,” the company said. It further said that its revenue growth will continue at its pace due to its diverse reach in the local as well as global market.
“The recent banning of Maggi noodles will have no negative impact on Uflex’s turnover as the company is on a higher growth trajectory both in India and overseas market,” it added. On June 5, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned Maggi noodles directing Nestle to immediately withdraw and recall all nine variants of the instant noodles from market due to presence of lead and taste enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) beyond permissible limits. Nestle India has also recalled the product from the market and is in the process of destroying Maggi noodles worth Rs 320 crore after the ban. However, Uflex also said that it considers “Nestle as its premier customer and considers its association as most valued” and is sure it “will be able to resolve the present crisis to the satisfaction of all stakeholders and revive Maggi brand in no time”.
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