Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Atta noodles, launched on Monday with a “Jhat pat pakao, aur befikr khao” (Cook quickly, and eat without worry) has a major reason to worry now.
In an interesting turn of events, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) told The Indian Express that they have not approved the newly launched noodles. This is despite the presence of an FSSAI license number on the packaging, indicating the necessary approval.
Ashish Bahugana, Chairperson and CEO of the authority told Express, “How can license be given for a product that has not been approved? Licences are issued by the state government to manufacture certain items. But approvals for (non-standardised) products are given by us. That approval was not taken. I do not know how the license was procured.”
In response, Ramdev’s spokesperson expressed a lack of awareness when it came to the product’s 'technical details', and denied the presence of any individual who could clarify, reported the Indian Express.
The product had been launched to compete with Maggie Noodles that once again hit the shelves a week ago after its ban was lifted. The FSSAI, however, has contested the unbanning by appealing to the Supreme Court, as they feel the product is not safe yet.