Global food giant Nestle said today it would withdraw its popular Maggi brand of instant noodles from shop shelves in India.

“Unfounded concerns about the product have led to an environment of confusion for the consumer,” Nestle India said in a press release.

“We have decided to withdraw the product off the shelves, despite the product being safe,” the statement said.

“We promise that the trusted Maggi Noodles will be back in the market as soon as the current situation is clarified.”

Shops and markets in India had already begun withdrawing packets of the noodles earlier in the week after tests showed the product contained high levels of lead and monosodium glutamate, a flavour enhancer.

The Delhi government banned sale of Maggi brand noodles for 15 days after tests revealed lead over permissible limits in over 75 percent of the samples collected.

Nestle said its own tests showed lead levels within safety limits. A company spokesman said no MSG was added to noodles sold in India, but the product glutamate occurred naturally in other ingredients used.

- dpa