London: Amid the ongoing controversy over Nestle's Maggi noodles in India after it was found to have dangerous levels of mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) and lead, Britain has started an investigation into the quality being sold in UK.
A report in Times of India states that UK's Food Standards Agency said that it has received lab reports from India of Maggi samples and is working with the European Commission to see if packs sold in UK have high levels of lead as found in that in India.
Following the temporary ban in four states Delhi, Gujarat, J&K and Uttarakhand, Nestle India decided to take Maggi off shelves. Almost every state has ordered testing of the product.
An FSA official said, "The FSA is aware of the recent incident in India involving Maggi Noodles. We are currently working with Nestle and the European Commission to investigate a report of higher than expected levels of Lead and undeclared MSG in Maggi Noodles".
"We have received lab reports from India after tests were carried out in accredited labs. We have an incidence team that is now investigating the matter in UK. We have been in contact with Nestle," the official added.
The official further said, "Nestle UK have informed the FSA that they currently only import one flavour of 'Maggi 2 Minute Noodles' (masala flavour) from India. The batch of noodles originally tested by the authorities in India was not sold in the UK. Other flavour Maggi noodles are not imported from India but from other Nestle factories in other countries."
