NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: After Nestle's Maggi, Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yogpeeth has locked horns with India's food safety regulator over its newly launched instant noodles, saying it had all necessary licences to sell the snack.
Reacting to Food Safety and Regulatory Authority of India (FSSAI) chief Ashish Bahuguna's statement that the noodles didn't have mandatory product approvals, Patanjali said it had committed no violation as it had a relabelling licence - which allows it to sell noodles manufactured by other companies which have a valid licence.
"We categorically state that we have followed all FSSAI rules and guidelines with regard to Patanjali atta noodles. We have committed no violation," Patanjali spokesperson S K Tijarawala said. Company officials went a step further, questioning the premise on which FSSAI had flagged the product which was launched on Monday, a week after Maggi returned to shelves.
"Mr Bahuguna does not know what he is talking about. First, according to a court order, FSSAI does not have a product-approval system in place at present. Second, noodles come under the pasta category, according to FSSAI norms, for which we have all licenses," a senior Patanjali executive TOI.
Experts say the only issue that may now emerge would be over the relabelling licence that Patanjali is relying on.
Bahuguna, who confirmed that he had sought action over Patanjali noodles, did not comment on the issue further but told TOI that "product approvals are not taking place since the Supreme Court had in August quashed the product approval advisory issued by the FSSAI."
"We are now in the process of framing new regulations. Once the regulations are in place and standards prescribed, product approvals can take place," he said.
In May 2013, FSSAI had issued an advisory that stated food products covering a broad spectrum needed to apply for product approvals. The advisory was, however, struck down by the Bombay High Court in August 2014. The verdict was later upheld by the apex court, necessitating the framing of new regulations.
FSSAI has been fighting a long-drawn battle with food companies in the country over product approvals, after it allegedly found traces of excess lead and undeclared monosodium glutamate (MSG) in packs of Maggi noodles in June. Earlier this week, FSSAI had moved the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court ruling that lifted the ban on Maggi. It appealed against the manner in which the HC faulted its testing process.
The Patanjali spokesperson said since FSSAI had notified on August 26 that its advisory had 'ceased' to be operation, the company had applied and got its relabeling licence on October 15. Hence, there was no need for it to apply for a product approval licence, he added.
Patanjali has acquired license from FSSAI for relabeling in the pasta category based on which it has entered into agreements with several companies that possess licenses to manufacture noodles, it said in a statement.
The instant noodles brand is just one of several new launches that Ramdev's Patanjali is planning in the near future which range from 'yogawear' apparel to health drinks. We will be a Rs 5,000-crore company this year. We have grown by over 150% over last year," Ramdev had told TOI recently.
Reacting to Food Safety and Regulatory Authority of India (FSSAI) chief Ashish Bahuguna's statement that the noodles didn't have mandatory product approvals, Patanjali said it had committed no violation as it had a relabelling licence - which allows it to sell noodles manufactured by other companies which have a valid licence.
"We categorically state that we have followed all FSSAI rules and guidelines with regard to Patanjali atta noodles. We have committed no violation," Patanjali spokesperson S K Tijarawala said. Company officials went a step further, questioning the premise on which FSSAI had flagged the product which was launched on Monday, a week after Maggi returned to shelves.
"Mr Bahuguna does not know what he is talking about. First, according to a court order, FSSAI does not have a product-approval system in place at present. Second, noodles come under the pasta category, according to FSSAI norms, for which we have all licenses," a senior Patanjali executive TOI.
Experts say the only issue that may now emerge would be over the relabelling licence that Patanjali is relying on.
Bahuguna, who confirmed that he had sought action over Patanjali noodles, did not comment on the issue further but told TOI that "product approvals are not taking place since the Supreme Court had in August quashed the product approval advisory issued by the FSSAI."
"We are now in the process of framing new regulations. Once the regulations are in place and standards prescribed, product approvals can take place," he said.
In May 2013, FSSAI had issued an advisory that stated food products covering a broad spectrum needed to apply for product approvals. The advisory was, however, struck down by the Bombay High Court in August 2014. The verdict was later upheld by the apex court, necessitating the framing of new regulations.
FSSAI has been fighting a long-drawn battle with food companies in the country over product approvals, after it allegedly found traces of excess lead and undeclared monosodium glutamate (MSG) in packs of Maggi noodles in June. Earlier this week, FSSAI had moved the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court ruling that lifted the ban on Maggi. It appealed against the manner in which the HC faulted its testing process.
The Patanjali spokesperson said since FSSAI had notified on August 26 that its advisory had 'ceased' to be operation, the company had applied and got its relabeling licence on October 15. Hence, there was no need for it to apply for a product approval licence, he added.
Patanjali has acquired license from FSSAI for relabeling in the pasta category based on which it has entered into agreements with several companies that possess licenses to manufacture noodles, it said in a statement.
The instant noodles brand is just one of several new launches that Ramdev's Patanjali is planning in the near future which range from 'yogawear' apparel to health drinks. We will be a Rs 5,000-crore company this year. We have grown by over 150% over last year," Ramdev had told TOI recently.
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