The law has set the maximum limit of MSG content in packed food at 1 percent. The consumption of MSG, which is used as flavour enhancer, beyond prescribed levels can cause diabetes, adrenal gland malfunction, seizures, high blood pressure, excessive weight gain, stroke and other health problems.

After several Indian states banned sales of Maggi noodles, the Nepal government forbade their import and sale besides launching quality tests of other noodles sold in the country.

On Monday, the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) said that Maggi noodles carry a No Added MSG tag on the packaging but they were found to contain the chemical during tests. “We have barred sales of the product in the country,” said DFTQC Director General Sanjiv Kumar Karn.

According to the department, MSG is a type of amino acid which is found in many food items in their natural state. However, many food manufacturers have been using extra MSG to make the foods taste better.

The DFTQC has also added Mayos noodles to the banned list citing a higher than permissible level of MSG in the product despite the No Added MSG labelling on the packaging. The department has given a clean chit to Maggi and Mayos regarding the lead content in their products.

Meanwhile, the DFTQC said that there was no excess content of lead and MSG in Waiwai noodles manufactured by the Chaudhary Group.