Nestle’s Maggi Noodle deemed safe to eat by UK food regulator
Nestle shares rose in trading yesterday after its Maggi Noodles range were deemed safe for consumption by the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The company was forced to destroy £32m of the Noodles in India after tests by the country’s food safety regulator said they were unfit for human consumption. Tests had detected higher than expected levels of lead and monosodium glutamate in the product. India is the primary market for Nestle’s Maggi Noodle range.
However, the FSA – which decided to probe the noodles because they are imported to the UK – said that the levels of lead were “well within EU permissible levels”. It added the noodle “would not be a concern to consumers”.
The FSA tested the masala flavour Maggi Noodle – which is imported into the UK – but also probed other flavours which are not imported as a precaution.
Nestle was plunged into a reputational crisis last month after it was forced to pull the noodle range off its shelves.
Shares in Nestle rose one per cent, slightly ahead of the wider market.