Nestle has enlisted APCO Worldwide amid fallout from a nationwide recall in India of its Maggi Noodles because of lead contamination.
India food safety officials, pointing a finger squarely at Nestle, said last week that tests showed the noodles contained levels of lead above safe standards. The regulator also claimed some packets of the noodles contained monosodium glutamate, or MSG, despite claims to the contrary.
Time magazine noted the noodles are "seen by many Indians as a 'third staple' after rice and lentils."
Nestle officials held a press conference June 5 and declared the Maggi Noodles "safe," but recalled the products in India because "recent developments and concerns … led to an environment of confusion for the consumer," which, the company said, "does not provide a conducive environment to have the product in the market, at this moment."
India's Economic Times reported that Nestle was "under flak for not communicating enough with stakeholders and consumers, even as state governments started banning Maggi."
Nestle CEO Paul Bulcke said: "With the consumer in mind, we will do everything it takes, and are fully engaged with the authorities, to clarify the situation to have MAGGI Noodles back on the shelves at the earliest."
Nestle is based in Switzerland.
Sukanti Ghosh, a former Barclays Bank exec, is managing director of APCO's India operations.
Husch Blackwell Strategies has added FleishmanHillard alum Michael Slatin as a principal in its public affairs group.
Rory Cooper, a veteran Republican operative and policy specialist, has joined Teneo’s Washington office as senior managing director in its strategy & communications practice.
Brian Fallon, who served as national press secretary for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential run, is signing on next month as Vice President’s Kamala Harris’ campaign communications director.
TikTok is nothing more than a Chinese propaganda tool that poses “a grave threat to America’s national security and, in particular, impressionable children and young adults,” say two Congressmen who want the platform registered as a foreign agent.
Public Strategies Washington has added Abbie Sorrendino, a former aide to now Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Have a comment? Send it to 
No comments have been submitted for this story yet.