In a major setback to Nestle India, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) on Thursday ordered tests on 13 samples of two variants – Maggi Masala and Veg(etable) Atta noodles – from nine batches to analyse presence of lead and “MSG stock glutamate” content.
It said that the Maggi samples should be sent to the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, after verifying the seal and samples in the court’s presence.“The 13 out of 25 total samples be sent to CFTRI in Mysore for analysis to determine the quantity of lead and ‘Monosodium glutamate (MSG) stock glutamate’ in the aforesaid samples,” the bench headed by Justice VK Jain ordered. “All the samples will be packed in a box by a special magistrate, duly signed and sealed by him… the box will be sent to the laboratory by a special messenger and the recipient will have to compare both seal and signature on the box and the forwarding letter to ensure there is no tampering during transit,” the apex consumer court said, adding that analysis should cover both the noodles and the taste-maker in the Maggi packets.
It rejected Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain’s request to allow it to procure more samples from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the ground that the Bombay High Court has already looked into the issue. The HC had earlier lifted the ban on the sale of nine various instant noodle brands and ordered fresh tests in three separate labs to ascertain that the products complied with the country’s food safety norms.
The NCDRC is hearing the government’s suit demanding over R640 crore for unfair trade practice for selling “defective and hazardous goods” and punitive damages, including interest at the rate of 18% per annum.
The firm’s failure to disclose the presence of risk-increasing ingredients was deceptive and misleading, the complaint filed through the consumer affairs department said, while accusing Nestle India of promoting noodles containing excessive lead as healthy with the sole aim of enhancing profits.