Coimbatore: Nestle is already embattling a big controversy for having high levels of lead in Maggi noodles. And troubles seem to only escalate for the company in the coming days as a sample of their milk powder has been declared unsafe by the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Wing.
A report from analysts at the Food Analysis Laboratory, Coimbatore, confirmed that the 380 gm sample contained 28 live larvae and 22 Sitophilus oryzae (rice weevils).
According to a report in The New Indian Express, the grisly story came to light when K Prem Ananth, a taxi driver from Puliakulam, Coimbatore, saw live larvae in the milk powder.
Ananth purchased a 380 gm Nestle NAN PRO 3 carton, a milk powder for his babies.
He had already fed one of his 18-month-old children and was mixing a separate batch for the other twin when he stumbled upon live larvae in the milk powder.
The infant, who was fed the milk powder, allegedly developed skin allergy and was rushed to a paediatric centre.
Ananth then registered a complaint with Nestle customer care. The company's local area manager G Krishnaperumal came to investigate the matter and offered to replace the product. When Ananth refused
the representative assured to test the powder in the company's lab. Uncertain of a impartial probe, Ananth refused that request as well.
On April 29, Prem approached the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (Food Safety Wing) in Coimbatore, and gave the samples for testing.
The report from the department, The New Indian Express qouted, said “the sample of MILK POWDER — Nestle NAN PRO 3 submitted for analysis does not conform to standards specified under Regulation 2.1.9(5) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations as it contains live insects.”
R Kathiravan, designated food safety officer, confirmed the veracity of the report, but said the results cannot be used to classify all Nestle products as unsafe.
Prem Ananth has reportedly filed a complaint with the Food Safety Cell in Coimbatore.
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