NEW DELHI: The food safety regulator has picked up samples of popular Maggi noodles from Delhi after those collected from some part of UP were found containing added MSG and lead in excess of prescribed limits. The reports on the samples collected from the capital are expected in a week.
Sources said in case of adverse findings, the consumer affairs ministry could drag Nestle, the multi-national firm which produces Maggi, to the national consumer commission for violating consumer rights in what they described would be a "class action suit" on behalf of consumers.
Consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan said his ministry has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to look into the quality issue of Maggi. "Our responsibility is to protect the interest of consumers. It is a serious issue. FSSAI has the power to take action, including imposing fine and major punishment. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) can also start proceedings against the company, if it receives a complaint," Paswan said.
Sources said FSSAI investigation will cover all parameters including the led content and added monosodium glutamate (MSG) more that the permissible limit. "We can file a case under the present consumer protection law against the company on behalf of the consumers. We are waiting for the FSSAI report," said a consumer affairs ministry official.
NCDRC president Justice D K Jain said till now no one has filed a complaint against Nestle related to Maggi. "NCDRC does not have jurisdiction to take suo motu action," he said.
Nestle has denied any irregularities and said the contents of all its products conform to the existing norms.
Last month, Maggi noodles had come under regulatory scanner after samples from UP were found to have added MSG and lead in excess. The Lucknow Food Safety and Drug Administration had initiated inquiry and written to the FSSAI seeking to cancel the licence for Maggi.
Sources said two types of sampling are done for testing - normal market surveillance and legal sampling. Those collected in Delhi were legal samples. They said legal sampling is followed for initiating action against any manufacturer or marketing firm where the seller is informed that the sampling is being done for testing. "This exercise is undertaken where you suspect something wrong being done intentionally. So, the samples picked up are recorded and all details are maintained," said an official.
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