The Delhi government issued a 15-day ban on Maggi instant noodles after reports that the popular snacks contained high levels of lead.
The announcement on Wednesday came about two weeks after initial concerns about Maggi noodles were raised in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
India’s food minister Ram Vilas Paswan told reporters that he ordered nationwide testing of the packaged noodles.
Anxieties over the brand’s food safety sent parent company, Nestle India’s stock to plunge nearly 17% over a week. Retailers, including India’s leading chain Future Group, also pulled Maggi from its store shelves.
The Maggi brand is a darling among many Indians with its “two-minute noodles” catchphrase. Many look to it as a quick snack that’s a departure from the traditional staple of rice, bread and lentils.
Maggi issued a statement earlier this week saying that the company submitted almost 600 batches to an external laboratory and found the lead levels were well within the limits allowed by food regulations.
“We regularly monitor all our raw material for lead, including testing by accredited laboratories which have consistently shown levels in Maggi Noodles to be within permissible limits,” according to Nestle India.
There have been no reports of illness linked with the product.
Maggi is often endorsed by India’s biggest Bollywood stars, prompting discussion on social media over whether celebrities should be accountable for their endorsements.
