BENGALURU: Maggi will not be banned in Karnataka for now. The decision follows a test by a private lab commissioned by the state government that found lead within permissible limits in the noodles. The government is awaiting the result of a test for monosodium glutamate (MSG) content in Maggi to decide its further course of action. The MSG test result will be know on Sunday.

The lab, Robust Material Technology Pvt Ltd, Nagarabavi, found the lead content to be 0.05 particles per million (ppm) in the three samples that it tested. The acceptable limit is 2.5ppm.

Along with an uncooked Maggi sample, a cooked sample was tested in the presence of a food safety officer.

Health minister UT Khader said consequent to the test results, there will be no ban on Maggi without justification. "However, there is a temporary withdrawal of Maggi products from all supermarkets and shops in the state (as mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). There has been an order from the Centre to withdraw Maggi products across counters. Nestle has been instructed to stop manufacturing Maggi at the main unit in Nanjanagud, so stocks may not be there."

"The samples, along with lab reports, will be sent to the Central Food Technological Research Institute in West Bengal," Khader said.

The test for MSG is being done by a private lab in Peenya. "The manufacturing company has mentioned on its labels that there is no MSG in the product, but the toxic element was found during tests in other states. This particular test is crucial as it will decide the further course of action in Karnataka," the minister said.