28 May, 2015

Instant Noodles Maggi Under Strict FDA Scanner for High Quantities of MSG and Lead

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collected samples of instant noodles 'Maggi' in Pune, Maharashtra, India to test for the presence of chemicals and additives.

Government officials swung into action after samples of Nestle's Maggi noodles collected in the state of Uttar Pradesh were found to contain excess of lead and added monosodium glutamate (MSG).  

"We have drawn a total of nine samples of Maggi in Pune division. Of them, five samples have been drawn from outlets in Pune city alone. We have sent them for testing to a designated government lab," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune. 

Dilip Sangat, assistant commissioner (food), FDA said, "The samples of Maggi were drawn from across the state after some of its samples were found to contain added monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead in excess of the permissible limit."

The inquiry initiated by the Lucknow Food Safety and Drug Administration, sought the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in New Delhi to cancel license of Maggi. 

Food Safety and Drug Administration also requested FSSAI to examine the quality of Nestle Maggi across the country. 

The test results of samples drawn in UP showed that Maggi contains 17 parts per million lead, whereas the permissible limit is 0.01ppm. Nestle says its records show lead content is negligible and less than 1% of the fixed limit.

MSG is an additive often added to packaged foods to enhance flavor. Experts say that such additives can be harmful to health. Food safety regulations mandate companies to specify on the package if MSG is added. However, Nestle says that it does not add MSG to the product. 

Karnataka government also plans to go for laboratory tests on the Nestle Maggi products. 

Source: www.medindia.net

28.05.2015

Thane Nursing College to be Named After Aruna Shanbaug: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government has decided to name a prominent nursing institution in Thane after nurse Aruna Shanbaug, the world's oldest comatose patient, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced here on Tuesday. Fadnavis tweeted, "Maharashtra government decided give late Aruna Shanbaug's name to Nursing Training School, Thane. Our infinite salutes to her spirit."

Aruna Shanbaug, a nurse at the KEM hospital in south Mumbai fell victim to a brutal attack by a contract sweeper on November 27, 1973. The 67-year old nurse hailing from Haldipur, Karnataka, who laid in a comatose state for 42 years, died on Monday and was given a tearful farewell.

In a related development, nurses at the KEM Hospital have urged the BMC authorities to convert the Ward No.4A into a memorial after her. The hospital nurses not only looked after Shanbaug with dedication for over four decades, but also fought attempts by the hospital and civic authorities to evict her from the ward. As Shanbaug lay in a vegetative state in that ward, her plight inspired major changes in Indian laws and 'passive euthanasia' was permitted by the Supreme Court. 

Presently, the hospital authorities have kept a garlanded photograph of the deceased nurse in the tiny ward where many nurses and others came to pay their homage on Tuesday. They are also toying with the idea of naming the room after Shanbaug and then continue treating patients there without blocking a bed in space-starved Mumbai. 

Earlier on Tuesday, the Madhya Pradesh government announced an award of Rs.100,000 in honor of the nurse to be given to an organization working against exploitation of women. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that whatever happened with Shanbaug was painful, and described her as a 'symbol of respect'.

Source: www.medindia.net

28.05.2015

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