KATHMANDU: The government has imposed a ban on the import and sale of Maggi, instant noodles produced by Nestle in India, for an indefinite period, as the product is suspected to contain traces of “lead” beyond permissible limits.
According to the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, lead is a type of heavy metal that can cause diseases related to skin and intestines if consumed beyond limit.
The product is reported to be containing lead up to 17.2 parts per million (17.2 milligram per 100 gram), while the food standard permits are only up to 2.5 parts per million, according to Indian media reports.
The department also decided to check the quality of Nepali noodles in the next phase suspecting that local products could also contain harmful elements.
Nepal’s restriction comes a day after the Indian government banned Maggi sales in New Delhi stores for 15 days for the product containing lead and monosodium glutamate beyond permissible limits.
Agriculture Ministry Secretary Uttam Kumar Bhattarai said the ban would be revised only after conducting an investigation. Border checkpoints were directed on Thursday to stop import of the product.
Sanjiv Kumar Karn, director general of the department, said the ban followed restrictions in many states of India. A task force had been formed to examine the contents of the product.
Nestle, a multinational company, has been selling a number of products, including Maggi, in the Nepali market for over two decades. A 140gm packet of the noodles costs Rs50 in the local market.
The department said it has inquired the International Food Safety Network about the internationally accepted standards for noodles.
“Food items could be contaminated with excessive lead in the production chain,” said Karn, adding that pesticides used during raw material production, or even pollution, can cause lead to mix up in products during processing and packaging.
Indian media reported that Nestle failed to provide content specifications on the label. Some of India’s biggest retailers such as Future Group, Big Bazaar, Easyday and Nilgiris have imposed a nationwide ban on Maggi.
Karn said the department would also check other contents, including the percentage of salt and monosodium glutamate in the noodles.
Food items containing monosodium glutamate up to one percent are permissible. Excess of these harmful elements in food poses health risk to children.
As many of the imported packaged food products reportedly enter the country without quality control, the department has also directed regular checks.
The department has quality control units at border points in Birgunj, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Kakadvitta, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar and Tatopani.
The food quality department has warned traders defying the ban of action as per Food Act-1967.
Traders selling prohibited foods are fined between Rs5,000 and Rs10,000. The fine goes up to Rs100,000 or six-month to three-year jail if they sell goods that affect public health.
