Noodle wars: Baba Ramdev & Co say they have FSSAI license for noodles

Does Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Atta noodles, launched on Monday with a “Jhat pat pakao, aur befikr khao” (Cook quickly, and eat without worry) have clearance from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

In an interesting turn of events, the 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? Licenses 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.”

However, Baba Ramdev’s spokesperson told the media that they had obtained all required licenses for ‘pasta’ and noodles comes under the category.

Indian Express quoted FSSAI sources saying that ‘noodles cannot be treated as a constituent of the pasta group, either, as per the food safety act. And there are additional licenses to be taken as Patanjali Atta Noodles comes with a masala mix.

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.