Lucknow: Five more samples of instant snack Maggi have failed tests at a laboratory here as they contained lead content beyond the permissible limit, an official said on Saturday.

The lead content in these samples, picked from neighboring Barabanki, were found to be 2.7 parts per million more than the permissible limit at the Food Safety and Drug Administration laboratory, an official said.

Additional Commissioner (Food) R.S. Maurya said the test reports would now be sent to the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

After initial reports of much higher lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) content in Maggi, over 500 samples were gathered from across the state. The five samples that have been found "unfit" are from this collection.

A ban was imposed on Maggi in June, a move which was challenged by its makers, Nestle.

Nestle had ordered a nationwide recall of the popular snack after food inspectors in Uttar Pradesh and later in some other states found that the MSG and lead content was very high.

Nestle has maintained that Maggi is safe for consumption and that it complies with the food standards in India. The matter is sub judice at the Bombay High Court.

(IANS)