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Maggi banned in Delhi for 15 days

Announcing the decision, Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain <g data-gr-id="199">said </g><g data-gr-id="200"><g data-gr-id="199">that</g> </g><g data-gr-id="203"><g data-gr-id="200">a</g> fresh</g> stock of Maggi noodles <g data-gr-id="201">will be</g> tested following which a decision <g data-gr-id="202">will </g><g data-gr-id="204"><g data-gr-id="202">be</g> taken</g>.

The government will carry out <g data-gr-id="123">lab testing</g> <g data-gr-id="124">of all</g> other noodles brands available <g data-gr-id="125">in the</g> <g data-gr-id="126">city and</g> will <g data-gr-id="127">take action</g> based <g data-gr-id="130">on the</g> reports.

"Government has put a ban on Maggi noodles for 15 days. We have asked Nestle India to withdraw Maggi stocks within 15 days. We will carry out <g data-gr-id="133">lab testing</g> of fresh stocks <g data-gr-id="134">and a</g> decision <g data-gr-id="135">will be</g> taken accordingly thereafter," Jain said.

The decision came nearly <g data-gr-id="116">two hours</g> after several top Nestle India officials explained to him their position <g data-gr-id="117">on the</g> issue.

Jain <g data-gr-id="101">said the</g> government will file a case against Nestle India <g data-gr-id="102">in court</g> as per provisions <g data-gr-id="103">of the</g> Food Adulteration Act and will "not compromise" on issues relating to <g data-gr-id="104">health safety</g>.

Yesterday, the Delhi government had <g data-gr-id="106">said </g><g data-gr-id="107"><g data-gr-id="106">that</g> it</g> found samples of Maggi noodles "unsafe" for consumption <g data-gr-id="108">as it</g> contained lead <g data-gr-id="109">beyond the</g> permissible <g data-gr-id="110">level in</g> Maggi masala (tastemaker).

According to officials, a total of 13 samples of masala (tastemaker) were lifted by authorities from various areas <g data-gr-id="118">of the</g> city <g data-gr-id="119">last week</g> of which 10 were found unsafe.

Five samples of masala were also having monosodium glutamate without proper label declaration which <g data-gr-id="121">is an</g> offence <g data-gr-id="122">under the</g> category of <g data-gr-id="120">mis-branding</g>, they said.

<g data-gr-id="98">A number</g> of states including Kerala and Haryana have initiated <g data-gr-id="100">steps <g data-gr-id="99">on</g></g><g data-gr-id="99"> the</g> Maggi issue.

The probe into alleged lapses of <g data-gr-id="138">food safety</g> standards has already been expanded to test Maggi noodle samples from <g data-gr-id="139">across the</g> country following detection of monosodium glutamate and <g data-gr-id="140">lead in</g> excess of the prescribed limit <g data-gr-id="143">in the</g> noodles.

However, Nestle India claimed <g data-gr-id="111">it has</g> got samples tested in an external laboratory <g data-gr-id="112">as </g><g data-gr-id="113"><g data-gr-id="112">well</g> as</g> in-house and <g data-gr-id="114">that the</g> product was found "safe <g data-gr-id="115">to eat</g>".

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