TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Sunday said the government would enforce a ban on Maggi noodles in the State on Monday adding that he was initially reluctant in doing so but thought it better for the citizens.
“Initially I was of the opinion to allow it to continue but with reports in the other states I did not want to take any risk with the lives of the natives so we will issue a ban for the product on Monday. Simultaneously I will advise for other samples to be tested by Goa and neighbouring states,” he said speaking on the side lines of an event.
He stood by the results of the five Maggi samples tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier last week but said the samples were also sent to other laboratories for re-testing.
Speaking about the impact the ban would have on the company and what it meant for the many Goans working at Nestle’s Ponda factory, he said, “We can’t come to any conclusions about this but we will need to have some sort of study on the impact they will have.”
He also said four of the samples tested were manufactured in Goa while one was from outside the state. Several other samples have also been sent for testing to the FDA laboratory, he said.
Last week, Nestle’s Maggi brand of noodles came under the scanner after several of their samples tested positive for MSG and high levels of lead. Though Goa’s FDA gave the company a clean chit, they asked the company to comply with FSSAI orders calling for a recall of nine of their products. The company has begun recalling its products.
