Karnataka to lift ban on Maggi

Bengaluru: The State government has decided to lift the ban on Maggi. Nestle India, however, cannot sell the old stock and the newly manufactured packets will be subjected to tests before they can be put on sale.

Speaking to the media here on Monday, Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader termed the Centre’s decision to ban Maggi as “irresponsible” and “immature”. He said the State government has decided to “withhold implementation of the ban”.

Citing lack of clarity on part of the Union government as the reason for this decision, Khader said Karnataka had not banned



Maggi but was merely implementing the Centre’s order. There was no clarity on part of the Union government about the permissible limit of lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG), he added.

Though this effectively means that the state government has lifted the ban on Maggi, the minister was treading carefully with his words.

In fact, it appeared that even the State government lacked clarity. "It is not that Maggi will be available in the market beginning tomorrow (Tuesday).  The new produce will have to undergo laboratory tests before the state government permits sale," said Khader.