The Tamil Nadu Government has banned production and sale of four brands of noodles, including Maggi Noodles, as lead content exceeded permissible limits.
According to an official press release, the State Government today imposed a three-month ban on Maggi noodles, Wai Wai Xpress Noodles, Reliance Select Instant Noodles and Smith and Jones Chicken Masala Noodles under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
The companies concerned cannot manufacture, stock and sell these products in the State for three months and have been asked to take back the existing stocks from shop shelves across the State.
The release said following reports of excess lead content in Maggi Noodles sold in some States, the Tamil Nadu Government decided to test food samples here.
The authorities collected 65 random samples from across the State. Of the 17 samples collected in Chennai, results have been obtained for seven and in six of them the lead content was higher than the permissible limit of 2.5 parts per million, the Statement said.