The noodle has been dragged into controversy after samples Maggie failed quality tests in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh states of India. The batches tested in the states detected high levels of lead.

The noodles have been restricted from entering the Nepali market until an investigation is conducted on it, said Secretary at Ministry of Agriculture Uttam Kumar Bhattarai.

Bhattarai said the directive has been issued to immediately stop the Maggie noodles wherever they are –either in customs or warehouses—from distribution in the market.

Maggi is a big seller for Nestle in India, with annual sales of about 24 billion rupees ($235m; £149m).

The laboratory tests on two dozen packets in Uttar Pradesh last month found lead nearly seven times the permissible limits and excess levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG), a food additive.