In May 2015, the Food and Drug Administration representatives from Barabanki, a district of Uttar Pradesh, India stated that samples of the product Maggi 2-Minute Noodles had unusually excessive levels of lead. This finding led to multiple market withdrawals and investigations in India and beyond.[1][2][3][4][5]
Some of India's biggest retailers (including Future Group's Big Bazaar, Easyday, and Nilgiris) imposed a nationwide ban on Maggi.[21] In addition, multiple state authorities in India found an unacceptable amount of lead, leading to bans in more than five other states.[22][23]
Nepal indefinitely banned Maggi over concerns about the lead levels in the product.[24] Maggi noodles were subsequently withdrawn from the market of five African nations: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Sudan.[25]
Maggi always insisted that their noodle product is safe.[32] Maggi recalled stock worth nearly ₹320 crore (₹3.2 Billion) from the shelves and paid ₹20 crores (₹200 million) to a cement factory to burn the product. In addition, the Corporate Affairs Ministry of India imposed a ₹640 crore (₹6.4 Billion) fine on Nestle India for the presence of MSG and lead beyond the permissible limit.[33]
In India, Maggi products were returned to the shelves in November 2015,[34][35] accompanied by a Nestlé advertising campaign to win back the trust of members of the Indian community.[36] At this time, the "Maggi anthem" by Vir Das and Alien Chutney was released.[37] Nestlé resumed production of Maggi at all five plants in India on 30 November 2015.[38][39]