Jobless Nestle Worker Commits Suicide After Maggi Ban

Packets of Nestle's Maggi instant noodles are seen on display at a grocery store | REUTERS

Lalta Prasad, a contract worker for Nestle India, committed suicide on Monday, about 13 days after Uttarakhand banned Maggi noodle production.

Prasad’s wife was shocked to find him hanging in his room. Over 1,100 employees along with the 32-year-old Prasad were asked to ‘sit at home’ by Nestle following the ban. According to his wife, Prasad was under stress before he took the drastic step. Police is unable to ascertain the specific reason behind his suicide as he reportedly had few family problems as well.

Prasad belonging to Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh, was working in Nestle’s Rudrapur plant in State Industrial Development Corporation Uttarakhand Limited for two years.

The popular snack has already been banned in the state after samples were sent to Rudrapur laboratory earlier this month. Recently, sixteen samples of Nestle India's Maggi noodles failed quality tests at the State Drugs and Food testing laboratory here, showing more than permissible levels of MSG and lead content. 

(With inputs from PTI)