Kolkata, June 3 (IANS): The West Bengal government on Wednesday said it has sent samples of Maggi noodles and some other food items for laboratory testing.

"From my department, I have sent a couple of products, including Maggi, for testing," Consumers Affairs Department Minister Sadhan Pandey told media here.

The samples would be examined at the industrial testing laboratory National Test House.

"If there is a need, we will test the products at other laboratories also," the minister said.

The test results would be available in the next few days. "I will show the report to the chief minister (Mamata Banerjee), and then we will take action," said Pandey.

The minister said his government would act in a way so as to protect consumers' health as also provide a fair deal to companies.

Nestle continues to maintain that its product Maggi is "safe" for consumption.

Several states have sent the product for testing for higher-than-permissible levels of some substances like lead in it. Some major departmental stores across the country have taken the product off their shelves.

The Delhi state government has banned Maggi noodles for 15 days.