New Delhi: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yogpeeth has denied violating Food Safety and Regulatory Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines in manufacturing its recently launched Atta Noodles.
Ramdev's spokesman SK Tijarawala said that the Trust has followed all FSSAI rules and guildelines.
"We have followed all FSSAI rules and guildelines and committed no violation," Tijarawala said.
According to the statement issued by the Trust, the Patanjali Ayurved Ltd and Patanjali Food and Herbal Park, Haridwar have obtained a relabeling license (license number 1001401200026) from FSSAI which is valid until February 20, 2019.
The relabeling license permits it to get (source) noodles from companies which have FSSAI approval to manufacture noodles.
"We have FSSAI license for pasta under Central category and noodles falls under pasta as per FSSAI guidelines," the statement said.
Earlier, there were reports that the instant Patanjali Atta Noodles has not obtained mandatory product approvals from the FSSAI.
“Patanjali Atta Noodles has not got product approvals from us. The matter has been brought to our notice. We are pursuing it,” Ashish Bahuguna, FSSAI chairperson who also holds additional charge as its CEO, told the English daily.
Interestingly, Patanjali Atta Noodles packets also display an “FSSAI licence number”.
When asked about the FSSAI license number flaunted on the noodle packs, Bahuguna said: “How can licence 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 licence was procured.”
The yoga guru has said the noodles were completely safe and healthy for consumption, and he was promoting swadeshi products because they were natural and causes no harm.
Patanjali Atta Noodles, priced at Rs 15 for a 70 gm packet, was launched in Delhi at an event where plates of the cooked product — endorsed by Ramdev as a “healthy option” — were served.
The Patanjali group owned by Ramdev produces and markets various ayurvedic products. It had a turnover of Rs.1200 crores in 2014 and a projected turnover of Rs.2000 crores in 2015.
The launch comes in the wake of Maggi's announcement that it had cleared legal hurdles and would be available in stores across the country.
The FSSAI had clamped a nationwide ban on June 5 on sale, production and stocking of Maggi, a popular snack in the country. It has been alleged that Maggi contained more-than-permissible levels of lead and high quantities of monosodium glutamate (MSG).
