Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, Jun 8: The Odisha government on Monday imposed a ban on the sale of all Maggi food products of the Nestle in the state with immediate effect as it contained excess lead.

The ban follows a report by the Central Food Laboratory in Pune, confirming the presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in Maggi noodles and other products of the Nestle. The state health laboratory also had also tested the samples of Maggi products and found presence of MSG, officials said.

Meanwhile, the food group Nestle has withdrawn Maggi instant noodles from sale in India citing “an environment of confusion for consumers”.

Health and Family Welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said the state government has asked Nestle India, manufacturer of Maggi food products, to take necessary measures to withdraw its products in the state.

“The test of the Maggi sample products, conducted by the state government at the Central Food Laboratory in Pune, has confirmed the presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in Maggi noodles and other products of the Nestle,” Nayak told media persons here.

As specified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the presence of MSG in any food product is highly detrimental to the health, the minister said.

Meanwhile, the department secretary, Arti Ahuja in a letter to all 30 district collectors has instructed to ensure a total ban on the sale of Maggi products.