The FSA can confirm that results from testing samples of Maggi Noodles in the UK have all found that levels of lead in the product is well within EU permissible levels and would not be a concern to consumers.

Following an incident in India, where a sample of Maggi Noodles was reported to contain high levels of lead, the Food Standards Agency made the decision to test a selection of Maggi Noodles as a precaution. In India, this incident has resulted in a large scale withdrawal of the product.

​Nestlé informed the FSA that the only variety of Maggi Noodles they import into the UK from India is the ‘masala flavour.’ The FSA has now tested this flavour and others from the Maggi noodles range, as a precaution. As well as tests carried out by local authorities, the FSA has also asked Nestlé to provide it with test results from its own samples. All showed levels of lead to be well within EU permissible levels.
The total number of samples taken from Nestlé, local authorities and port authorities were around 900 in total.

Low income households in Northern Ireland need to spend at least one third of their take home income in order to purchase a basket of healthy food – according to a new study by the Food Standards Agency, safefood and the Consumer Council.

The cost of a healthy food basket for a pensioner living on their own is £59 per week, while for a family of four – two adults and two children - is £119 per week.
These are the main findings from Northern Ireland’s survey on the Cost of a Healthy Food Basket. The consumer-led research is the first time a cost has been put on a healthy food basket for two of the biggest household types in Northern Ireland
It asked consumers to select a realistic food basket from a taste and menu point of view, while also meeting the social needs of a household, such as hosting visitors or special occasions.
The food baskets were then reviewed by nutritionists from Ulster University to ensure they met nutritional guidelines of the UK Eatwell plate and were then price-checked accordingly.
Sharon Gilmore, Head of Standards and Dietary Health at the Food Standards Agency in NI, said: 'Those people experiencing food poverty and having difficulty eating an adequate diet will continue to be the focus of our work. 
'For the first time, we have sound evidence on the real cost of an essential food basket and how food issues relate to poverty and economic hardship. We need to take this evidence and develop an action plan to tackle food poverty in Northern Ireland.' 

Research reportsCost of a healthy food basket for households on the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland Research)
The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice (VPSJ) developed Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) and Minimum Income Standards (MIS) for a range of household types. Extending this initiative to Northern Ireland will provide data on food costs and socially acceptable food baskets which meet healthy eating guidelines and nutritional needs to provide valuable data relevant to food poverty. Understanding food in the context of poverty, economic insecurity and social exclusion 
To improve FSA in NI’s understanding of health inequalities, the overall aim of the research was to provide an updated and critical body of evidence on what constitutes 'food poverty'.​

The FSA today published its Strategic Plan, setting out how we will work over the next five years to deliver the goals of the FSA Strategy 2015-20. In particular to protect public health and consumers’ interests in relation to food, so that food is safe and what it says it is, that we have access to an affordable healthy diet, and can make informed choices about what we eat, now and in the future.

The FSA Strategy 2015-20 reinvigorated our pledge to put consumers first in everything we do, while recognising there are growing challenges around food safety, affordability, security and sustainability.
The Plan published today makes clear our purpose and responsibilities, and the roles and responsibilities of others, in meeting these. It sets out how we plan to work with the food industry, local authorities and other parts of government, and with scientists, consumer and community groups and other stakeholders.
The plan also outlines the approaches we will take when carrying out our work. These include:

• using science, evidence and information both to tackle the challenges of today, and to identify and contribute to addressing emerging risks for the future
• using legislative and non-legislative tools highly effectively to protect consumer interests and deliver consumer benefits – influencing business behaviour in the interests of consumers
• being genuinely open and engaging, finding ways to empower consumers both in our policy making and delivery, and in their relationship with the food industry
• making sure that all of us are highly capable, effectively supported and consistently choose to make outstanding contributions to protecting, information and empowering consumers