Walmart and Metro AG have withdrawn Nestle's Maggi noodles from their wholesale stores in India in the wake of food safety issues pertaining to the brand.


The move follows country-wide probe against the 'two-minute' instant food brand for alleged presence of lead and taste enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) beyond permissible limits.


"Given our utmost focus on 'food safety' and ongoing concerns around this product, we have withdrawn the Maggi 2-minute noodles from our shelves across all 20 Best Price Modern Wholesale stores till further clarity from FSSAI and State Food safety authorities," a Walmart spokesperson said.


Modern retail outlets like Big Bazaar run by the Future Group contribute a large chunk of sales for FMCG firms, including Nestle. The Future Group has 570 stores in 243 cities across different formats under brands such as Big Bazaar, Easy day, KB's and Nilgiris. Likewise, consumer cooperative society Kendriya Bhandar also withdrew Maggi noodles from its 130 stores in and outside Delhi.