‘I stand by my lab’s results on Maggi’
The one thing that stood out in the furore over Maggi has been the difference over test results. While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has declared Maggi unsafe for consumption, the company claims otherwise. The Nestle website has three test reports — all prepared by the Kolkata-based Edward Food Research & Analysis Centre (EFRAC) — stating that in all Maggi Masala noodles samples the private laboratory had tested for lead and other heavy metals were within the permissible limits. In an interaction with
Arindam Majumder, EFRAC CEO BALWINDER BAJWA defended his lab’s results. Edited Excerpts:
Nestlé has put up the reports from your lab on its website. Can you explain your lab’s testing process?
All the analysis in our lab has been done using ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), an advanced spectrometer that can handle multi elements in a single round and also the resolution for this instrument is higher than other instruments used. The company sells the noodles and taste maker in one packet. The intent of the analysis should also be that the noodles and the taste maker should be mixed and then prepare the sample. There are some critical steps involved. I am not saying the other lab hasn’t done it. We have followed the process of microwave digestion, which is the ideal way of doing lead analysis because it eliminates the possibility of lead contamination from external sources. In the other process, there is great chance of lead getting mixed from outside, which might not be in the original product. The first step of the analysis involves standardising the instrument at different concentrations. Here also, there is a question that how many labs follow it. It happens that many people skip it and due to this it might lead to an error in the final result.
How can one ensure a lab has
followed all the procedures?
Generally, good labs are equipped with US FDA-approved software. If you have this software enabled in your machine, then one cannot do any manipulation. It’s like a black box of an aeroplane. One can retrieve the result even after one year. Many of the labs do not have it, because it is a costly software. My lab has all the best equipment with auto samplers and robotic control.
How many samples of Maggi were tested for this purpose?
Close to 700 samples of Maggi were tested. Later on, we did more. So overall, it will be around 800.
Your test results show that lead is present in the samples. Isn’t that acause for worry?
We need to be very clear and understand this that there is nothing in today’s world which doesnotcontain heavymetalsor pesticide. Even the fruits that we eat and the water that we drink contain these. So, looking at the scenario that we live in, the authorities have decided certain limits to which these materials can be present in our food. In noodles, the permissible limit of lead is 2.5 ppm (parts per million). For other products, it is more than that.
Why is there a difference between EFRAC’s resultsand the FSSAIlab’s test results?
There could be difference based on the operation process, validation, chemicals used. Even the water used for analysis can result in differences over test results. I am no one to comment on the procedure of other labs, but we have the best machines and follow the best procedures for our lab. The results I have with me are 100 per cent authentic. I stand by my results. I have the entire retention samples available with me. So if there is doubt, people can verify the result given by my lab. If anything is challenged, we have the retention samples for all the 800 products. If someone feels the reports are not right, we are open to share it and have any further discussions.
Are you in touch with the
FSSAI?
Not yet. Over the Maggi issue, there has been no communication with FSSAI so far.
There have been reports that the Central Food Laboratory does not have accreditation...
The nodal body of the country under which all the labs function is National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). NABL undertakes the audit of the labs to judge the competency of the labs. In our case, there were close to 10 auditors. You have to prove in front of them and qualify for your capabilities and the machines of the lab for each and every single commodity that is to be tested in the lab. NABL has on board very professional and respected people. It is mandatory for labs in the country to have NABL accreditation. Then there are approvals like BIS, FSSAI, AG MARK. For them, the primary requirement is that you should have NABL certification. We have 12 accreditations from different authorities. Once the lab is approved, the reports of the lab are as valuable and legal as anyone else, because it has been approved by the government.