Nestle refutes charge of using 'ash' in Maggi

New Delhi: FMCG major Nestle India on Wednesday said it does not use ash while making Maggi.

“We strongly reiterate that at no stage of the manufacturing process, ash is added to Maggi noodles,” Nestle India spokesperson said in a statement.

The development comes after the district administration of Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh slapped a fine on Nestle India and its distributors after Maggi allegedly failed the lab test. The district administration imposed a fine of Rs 45 lakh on Nestle, Rs 15 lakh on three distributors and Rs 11 lakh on two retailers.

“While we have not yet received the order passed by the adjudication officer, we understand from the information available that the relevant samples are from 2015 and the issue pertains to ‘ash content’,” it added.

The company said Maggi is compliant with the new rules laid out by food safety regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for instant noodles, pasta and seasoning.

“Maggi noodles is fully compliant with the standards set by FSSAI. Maggi noodles have always been safe for consumption and will continue to be,” the spokesperson added.

Maggi was banned by FSSAI in June 2015 for containing lead beyond permissible limits, forcing Nestle India to withdraw the product from the market.

Even in 2015, Maggi trouble began in Uttar Pradesh. Following legal battles, the popular brand was back in the market in November 2015.