Nestle Maggi row: Food industry bodies seek clearer norms

MUMBAI: Food industry bodies have met the regulators as well as government officials in the wake of the increased scrutiny following the row over Swiss firm Nestle's Maggi noodles, seeking clarity on the norms that they said change frequently and are open to various interpretations. 

According to the industry executives, food companies are often in a fix about adhering to the classification system and procurement norms. For instance, an executive said, although food companies source raw materials from farmers under the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act, if raw products are contaminated due to excessive use of chemicals or fertilizers it is not clear whether farmers or companies are to be blamed. 

Amit Dhanuka, president of All India Food Processors' Association (AIFPA), said the body recently met the food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India or FSSAI as well as the ministry of food processing industries to convey the need for establishing sophisticated food testing laboratories in many states. AIFPA's members include Coca-Colaand Britannia Industries, among other companies. 

"Also, we feel that if a product fails during initial testing, the company needs to be given a fair chance of representation before any coercive action by the government," said Dhanuka. Protein Foods and Nutrition Development Association of India (PFNDAI) also made a representation to the government for modernisation of testing labs. PFNDAI's members include Marico, ITC, Cargill India, Hindustan Unilever and Nestle India. 

"We would be delighted to work with the government and FSSAI in ensuring food safety, taking into account the interest of all stakeholders," said Mohan Vegulaparanan, chairman of regulatory affairs committee of PFNDAI. Experts said that the recent ban on Maggi noodles due to excessive lead content will have a domino effect on the entire food industry. 

"This episode has gained international attention and is likely to have potential foreign investors reconsider realities of the India story, at least in the processed food space," said Srishti Ojha, founder of Verist Law.