Mangaluru : The Karnataka government today ordered random lifting of samples of Maggi noodles from across the state for laboratory testing after allegations of lapses in food safety standards came to the fore.

Health Minister U T Khader told to media “We have directed officials to randomly lift the samples of Maggi noodles from the (manufacturing) units and retail shops, across the state for laboratory testing.

He said there were four Maggi manufacturing units in the state.He also said the collected samples would be sent to national-level laboratory units situated in Mysuru and another private laboratory in Bengaluru.

“If need be, we will send the samples to laboratories situated in other states – that could include Kerala. However, we have not taken any decision on it,” he added.Khader said he has directed his officials to submit a report as early as possible.”… they may take two to three days, let us see,” he said.

Asked whether the government would take stringent action against the company if found guilty, he replied, “In that case, the law will take its own course, but I will take a decision once I go through the report.”

Maggi noodles came under the scanner last month after the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration asked Nestle India to withdraw a batch of the noodles “which were manufactured in February 2014” after it found presence of non-essential taste enhancer monosodium glutamate and high levels of lead in the samples.

The Centre has also asked central food safety regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to test samples of the noodles from all states.