India's food safety regulator says laboratory tests have found overwhelming evidence that Nestle India's instant noodle products are "unsafe and hazardous" for human consumption.
In a notice issued after a meeting with Nestle's global chief executive Paul Bulcke, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also said it was evident that Nestle had failed to comply with its obligations under India's food safety laws.
While reserving the right to prosecute, the FSSAI issued a series of orders to Nestle, including withdrawing nine versions of its Maggi instant noodles and another product that was being sold without product approval.
Nestle India earlier on Friday announced it would withdraw its Maggi noodles, after local authorities raised safety concerns following the discovery of high levels of lead in some packets.