SC seeks clarification from Mysore lab on Maggi samples

Bench said the court may communicate with the joint registrar, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, for the additional samples.

Written by FE Bureau

New Delhi

January 14, 2016 00:31 IST

In June last year, FSSAI had banned Nestle’s Maggi noodles over allegations of high lead content and the presence of MSG above permissible limit.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, to further clarify whether test reports relating to lead and glutamic acid levels in Nestle India’s popular Maggi noodles are within the safe and permissible levels and whether tests for glutamic acid are the same as those for monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Expressing concern over the quality of the noodles, a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said that more attention needs to be paid as the product is being consumed by youngsters.

“Maggi noodles are bought by the younger generation. We have more concern for their safety,” the court said, giving the lab eight weeks to submit its report. The court will now take up the case on April 4.

Stating that the lab has in two communications to the court said it needs more samples to carry out checks on parameters other than lead and MSG, it asked the national research lab, approved by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), to make a requisition to the government for further samples of Maggi noodles, if required.

“We have perused the test reports. We would like CFTRI, Mysore, to apprise this court on two aspects, whether the test report relating to lead and glutamic acid are within the permissible parameters and to clarify that those are within parameters prescribed under the Food Safety Act,” Justice Misra said.

The bench said for the additional samples the court may communicate with the joint registrar, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), who was appointed as local commissioner. He shall collect the samples from FSSAI godown in Lucknow. These directions came after the Mysore-based national research lab submitted the results of tests ordered by the apex consumer court on December 16.

Nestle India initially opposed sending more samples. Its senior lawyer Harish Salve argued that CFTRI was mistaken that Maggi had to be tested for all possible contaminants. He told the court that the lab was only to test for lead and MSG.

While Nestle India, makers of Maggi, claimed that the lead content was within the permissible limit prescribed under the Food Safety Act, the Centre said there was a need for comprehensive findings of all other parameters.

The Supreme Court is hearing cross- petitions file by FSSAI against a Bombay High Court order lifting a ban on Maggi noodles and Nestle’s plea against an order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for more tests on Maggi in Chennai.

This article was first uploaded on January fourteen, twenty sixteen, at thirty-one minutes past twelve in the am.