After Maggi, axe falls on Wai-Wai noodles

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, June 15: Assam government today banned the Wai Wai brand of noodles after it tested positive for Mono-Sodium Glutamate. The ban has been imposed initially for thirty days, a government statement said.   

Wai Wai is a brand of instant noodles produced in Thailand by Thai Preserved Food Factory Co since 1972, and in Nepal by Chaudhary Group with technical assistance from Thai firm. The Chaudhary Group has built two plants in India for the manufacture and distribution of the noodles.

Wai Wai was earlier banned in Tamil du for a period of three months citing higher level of lead.

In a notification today, Assam government prohibited the manufacture,  storage, distribution and sale of ‘Wai-Wai 1-2-3 Noodles (mini)’ and ‘Wai-Wai mimi Ready to eat Noodles’ by CG Foods and declared it unsafe as per the food safety standards.

The samples of both the noodles have tested positive for Mono-Sodium Glutamate which is prohibited to be used as additive in pastas and noodles as per food safety regulations.

Earlier, the country’s food safety regulator had ordered Nestle to withdraw Maggi noodles after some samples were reportedly found to contain higher-than-permissible levels of lead - a finding that was rejected by the company, saying its own independent tests suggested otherwise. Several states, including Assam, had banned the Maggi noodles.

Nestle has moved the Bombay High Court, challenging the regulator’s order.