Instant trouble

Sir - The news that Maggi noodles, a product of Nestle India, contains lead beyond permissible limits as well as high levels of monosodium glutamate as a taste enhancer is alarming ("Wait for Maggi sampling test results", June 3). These harmful substances were first found while testing a batch of noodles manufactured in February 2014. Consuming three grams or more of MSG without food may cause headache, numbness, flushing, palpitations and drowsiness in some people. There is a lot of discussion in the media about the permissible quantity of lead in food vis-à-vis actual lead content in Maggi even though World Health Organization reports state that there is no known level of lead exposure that can be considered safe.

People trust products manufactured by reputed companies and take their claims for granted. Consequently, they buy their products without any knowledge of their ill effects. It is an ethical lapse on the part of the manufacturers to mislead the public with assurances of providing healthy food. Maggi is consumed by all age groups, making it more dangerous. The celebrities who endorse these products should be held accountable to the consumers because the latter were misled into buying the products by their role models. Maggi's brand ambassadors should have emulated the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Aishwarya Rai and Kangana Ranaut who have turned down the offers to endorse certain products after having considered their impact. Celebrities should double- check the authenticity of the products that they agree to endorse.

The Kerala government was the first to stop the distribution of Maggi noodles in state-run retail outlets. A number of other states have now followed suit.

Yours faithfully,
R. Meenakumari,
Santragachi

Sir - The state consumer affairs department of West Bengal had sent samples of various packaged food items to the National Test House in New Delhi for analysis. This initiative taken by the ministry is laudable.

Another area that requires attention is the fish that is imported from Andhra Pradesh. The fish are stored in cold storages located near Howrah station. The use of formalin - a solution of water, formaldehyde and methanol - for preserving the fish is rampant. This is done to give the fish a fresh look and, thus, deceive the buyers. Commercial solutions of formalin were often used as disinfectants and for preserving biological specimens. It is also used for embalming human remains in morgues. Formalin is a colourless, toxic and potentially carcinogenic water-soluble gas. The United States National Toxicology Programme declared that formaldehyde is "known to be a human carcinogen". In the light of the alarming rise of cancer in India, the indiscriminate use of formalin for preservation of fish in the cold storages must be stopped immediately. A non-carcinogenic alternative for preserving fish needs to be found. The Union ministry of health should adopt appropriate measures to remedy the situation.

Yours faithfully,
Samares Bandyopadhyay,
Calcutta

Sir - Packets of Maggi noodles are getting recalled for not meeting food safety standards. There is another packaged product that might be harmful for consumers, who, however, cannot raise their voice against it. Packaged dog food may not always meet the required standards either. Feeding these to dogs makes them weak, dull and lethargic compared to canines that are given freshly-cooked food. Packaged dog food of poor quality often cause pets to have weak livers, stomach worms and skin problems. The authorities concerned should arrange to get packaged dog food tested for quality, thereby saving animals from any possible ill effects.

Yours faithfully,
Sudip Ghosh,
Calcutta

Sir - A district court in Bihar has directed the police to file an first information report against the film stars, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta, because they featured in Maggi advertisements. In India, government agencies do not conduct proper checks on the quality of food products. In this instance, the fault lies with the manufacturer and the approving authority. The role played by the celebrities is insignificant.

Bachchan has featured in the pulse polio campaign. Will he be held guilty if a child were to die as a result of faulty administering of the medicine? Several filmstars in South India also endorse products of substandard quality. Should they not be punished as well? The court order should serve as an eye-opener for greedy celebrities who promote consumer products of inferior quality. Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan are considered to be role models because they never hoodwink consumers by endorsing dubious brands.

Yours faithfully,
K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzha, Kerala