Shimla, June 3 (IANS): The Himachal Pradesh authorities collected samples of Maggi noodles on Wednesday and sent them to a laboratory for testing, said a health official.

Officials have, however, yet to collect samples from the company's manufacturing plant in the state.

Samples of Maggi noodles were collected randomly from across the state, Director, Health, Rameshwar Sharma told IANS.

He said a three-member committee has been deputed to conduct sampling at Nestle India's manufacturing plant in the state's Tahliwal area in Una district.

Additional Chief Secretary (health) Vineet Chawdhry said samples were collected as per the communication received from the central government.

He also said the results of the tests on the samples were yet to come.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.S. Bali said his department would also examine the samples of Maggi separately.

The popular snack has been in the thick of controversy after media reports on the alleged presence of harmful substances in the noodles.