FSSAI issues notice to Nestlé India over social media complaints of larvae in Maggi. Nestlé cites clean same-batch NABL lab test results.
- The FSSAI issued a formal notice to Nestlé India on Friday, June 12, 2026, following viral social media complaints of larvae.
- Nestlé India cited lab clearance from an NABL-accredited laboratory for same-batch reference samples, denying all claims.
- Ingesting infested food can cause acute gastrointestinal infections, bacterial contamination, and severe food poisoning.
Can a single viral video change your trust in instant comfort food? On Friday, June 12, 2026, fresh social media complaints alleging insect larvae in a packet of noodles maggi went viral. Following these infestation claims, regulators stepped in to investigate product quality and supply chain integrity.
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Social Media Complaints Trigger FSSAI Notice to Nestlé India
Taking immediate cognisance of the viral posts, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a formal FSSAI notice to Nestlé India. The regulator demanded a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) regarding manufacturing standards for maggi noodles and maggi masala. Following the news, market shares for Nestlé dropped over 3% during Friday trading (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Health risk assessment of instant noodles commonly consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
)(2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Prevalence of elevated blood lead levels and risk factors among children living in Patna, Bihar, India
).
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Nestlé Denies Contamination Allegations Citing Accredited Lab Clearance
Responding to the contamination allegations, Nestlé India firmly denied any manufacturing defects. The company submitted reference samples from the same batch to a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited lab, receiving full lab clearance (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Toxic Metals (Al, Cd, and Pb) in Instant Soups: An Assessment of Dietary Intake
).
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Nestlé-Commissioned Lab Tests vs. FSSAI Investigation: Clarifying the Clearance
It is vital to clarify that the recent clearance was based on Nestlé-commissioned lab tests rather than an independent FSSAI lab investigation. Nestlé India sent reference samples from the same batch and market samples to an FSSAI-notified, NABL-accredited facility that found no larvae. Furthermore, Nestlé confirmed it never received the complainant’s original sample as the social media account went unreachable (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Toxic Metals (Al, Cd, and Pb) in Instant Soups: An Assessment of Dietary Intake
).
Health Hazards of Food Infestation: What Happens If Larvae Are Ingested?
Medical experts warn that consuming infested masala maggi, poses severe health risks. Ingesting insect larvae can trigger acute gastrointestinal infections, severe abdominal cramps, and food poisoning from harmful bacteria like E. coli. Consumers checking the maggi price should always inspect packaging for micro-tears before cooking (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Health risk assessment of instant noodles commonly consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
)(2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Prevalence of elevated blood lead levels and risk factors among children living in Patna, Bihar, India
).
Broader FSSAI Scrutiny: From KFC to the 2015 Maggi Recall Legacy
This action comes amid a broader wave of enforcement, with FSSAI issuing notices to Flipkart India and a KFC outlet in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh. For consumers, this situation echoes the landmark 2015 ban when maggi noodles were pulled nationwide over lead concerns before returning in November 2015. Whether buying sauce maggi or maggi sauce, vigilance remains essential (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Prevalence of elevated blood lead levels and risk factors among children living in Patna, Bihar, India
)(3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Toxic Metals (Al, Cd, and Pb) in Instant Soups: An Assessment of Dietary Intake
).
References:
- Health risk assessment of instant noodles commonly consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria – (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29128944/)
- Prevalence of elevated blood lead levels and risk factors among children living in Patna, Bihar, India – (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10021519/ )
- Toxic Metals (Al, Cd, and Pb) in Instant Soups: An Assessment of Dietary Intake – (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9738032/ )
Source-Medindia