Took Maggi Noodles Off the Shelves Because We Felt Consumer Was Distressed, Says Nestle's Global CEO

Nestle's global CEO Paul Bulcke addressed the media on the controversy around Maggi noodles which has been under country-wide scrutiny for high lead content and mono-sodium glutamate or MSG, a taste enhancer.

Here are the highlights:

• I thank you all for your interest.
• We found that the trust of the consumers has been shaken.
• Growing concerns about the product has led to that confusion.
• Maggi Noodles in India are safe for consumption, we have the same quality standards everywhere in the world.
• We have been carrying tests on Maggi noodles on multiple batches. All results that came out indicate that Maggi noodles are safe for consumption.
• There may be some MSG occurring in other ingredients. Will take off 'No MSG' from the label so that there's no confusion about it.
• Trust of our consumers is of paramount importance to us.
• Trying to learn why there's a difference in test results carried out in other laboratories and ours.
• There is confusion about how you test...if we put them together, we can see why there is difference in test results.
• We are working with the authorities to clarify the situation.
• We will share all our test results with full transparency. This is a result of some confusion and we have to resolve it.
• We are trying to restore the confidence of our consumers in Maggi, our first priority is to address the consumers.
• We are taking this very seriously.
• We are taking Maggi Noodles off the shelves till the situation is clarified.
• The share is down but it is the trust of the consumers that is more important to us.
• India is important to us. We have been in India for over 100 years, we are a part of India. We are talking to the authorities. I don't think there is any problem there.
• I am confident Maggi Noodles will be back very soon.
• We're not going to pull Maggi noodles from shelves in the UK or any other country.
• Did not start testing Maggi now. We test every batch of Maggi as it leaves factories. Our tests show that the product is safe.