Test shows 12.5% food items contain unapproved pesticides: govt

Unapproved pesticides like acephate, bifenthrin, acetamiprid, triazofos, metalaxyl, malathion among others have been detected from the samples, says govt

In vegetables, the ministry detected the residues of non-approved pesticides such as acephate, bifenthrin, triazofos, acetamiprid, metalaxyl and malathion.

New Delhi: In a major health hazard, the government has found residues of pesticides in a significant number of vegetables, fruits, milk and other food items collected from various retail and wholesale outlets across the country.

Samples collected from organic outlets were also found having residues of pesticides. Residues of unapproved pesticides were found in 12.50% of the 20,618 samples collected nationally as part of the central scheme ‘Monitoring of Pesticide Residues’, which was launched in 2005.

The samples collected during 2014-15 have been analysed by 25 labs. In lab findings, non-approved pesticides like acephate, bifenthrin, acetamiprid, triazofos, metalaxyl, malathion, acetamiprid, carbosulfan, profenofos and hexaconazole, among others, have been detected.

According to the report released by the agriculture ministry, the residues of pesticides were detected in 18.7% of the samples, while residues above MRL (maximum residue limit) were found in 543 samples (2.6%). The MRL is being prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

“Out of the 20,618 samples analysed, residues of non-approved pesticides were detected in 12.5% of the samples,” the ministry said in the report.

Residues of non-approved pesticides were detected in 1,180 vegetable samples collected from both retail and farm gate markets, 225 fruit samples, 732 spice samples, 30 rice samples and 43 pulses samples, it added.

In vegetables, the ministry detected the residues of non- approved pesticides such as acephate, bifenthrin, triazofos, acetamiprid, metalaxyl and malathion.

In fruits, non-approved pesticides such as acephate, acetamiprid, carbosulfan, cypermethrin, profenofos, quinalphos and metalaxyl were found. Non-approved pesticides especially profenophos, metalaxyl and hexaconazole were found in rice, while residues of triazofos, metalaxyl, carbaryl and acephate were detected in pulses.

The ministry collected vegetables, fruits, spices, red chilli powder, curry leaves, rice, wheat, pulses, fish/marine, meat and egg, tea, milk and surface water from retail outlets, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) markets and organic outlets.

KUMUDAM REPORTER ARTICLE

Gazette Notifiction on Midday Meal Samples to be checked by Food Safety Department

'Food' to have a new meaning in India post Maggi debacle

The Maggi controversy comes as an eye opener for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The central government has planned to change the definition of food to widen its scope and close loopholes.
The new definition will exclude nutraceuticals, health supplements, functional food and dietary supplements, which will be subject to tougher regulations, a news report in The Economic Times has suggested.
"The earlier definition of food had certain loopholes of which some companies, especially pharma companies, were taking advantage," a senior official in the ministry of health told the financial daily. "Since regulations are more stringent for pharma products, companies tried to pass off nutraceuticals and health supplements as food, where regulations are slightly relaxed," he added.
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, defines food as "any substance, whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed, which is intended for human consumption and includes primary food." It excludes "drugs and medicinal products, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances."
Traditional food, which is described as food that has been and is "traditionally being consumed in the country" will be broadened to "food which is prepared in accordance with the knowledge normally transmitted from one generation to another, conforms to the gastronomic heritage of the country, or local area, or region of the country, with little or no processing or manipulation through addition of preservatives or otherwise and retains the sensory property."
As said on its website, the govt plans to review and amend the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011. It sought suggestions and comments from stakeholders by September 24. While a ministry can change rules, an act can be amended only in parliament. Representatives of the food industry, citing procedural lapses in the proposed changes, have alleged that the government wants to "sharpen their teeth and extend their reach beyond the normal to targthe industry."
"It is not understood as to how and why all of a sudden an unscientific and adhoc, restrictive definition has been flashed to food industry for comments," Amit Dhanuka, president of the All India Food Processors' Association told the ET. The industry bodies said the government is trying to avoid a discussion on the matter.

'Food' will soon have a new definition

After the recent controversies, the central government proposes to change the definition of food to widen its scope and close loopholes
After the recent controversies involving the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the central government proposes to change the definition of food to widen its scope and close loopholes.
The new definition will exclude nutraceuticals, health supplements, functional food and dietary supplements, which will be subject to tougher regulations, officials from the industry and the health ministry said. The definitions of traditional and proprietary foods will be broadened. "The earlier definition of food had certain loopholes of which some companies, especially pharma companies, were taking advantage," said a senior official in the ministry of health. "Since regulations are more stringent for pharma products, companies tried to pass off nutraceuticals and health supplements as food, where regulations are slightly relaxed." According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, food is defined as "any substance, whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed, which is intended for human consumption and includes primary food." It excludes "drugs and medicinal products, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances."
The proposed draft also intends to broaden the definitions of traditional food and proprietary food. The current definition of proprietary food is "food that has not been standardised under these regulations." The draft definition of proprietary foods includes "food with additives added with a view to preserve such food and provide it with a distinct aroma or flavour or taste and a shelf life...," according to the proposal sent by the ministry to the industry.
Traditional food, which is described as food that has been and is "traditionally being consumed in the country" will be broadened to "food which is prepared in accordance with the knowledge normally transmitted from one generation to another, conforms to the gastronomic heritage of the country, or local area, or region of the country, with little or no processing or manipulation through addition of preservatives or otherwise and retains the sensory property."
The ministry of health and family welfare said on its website on September 3 that the government plans to review and amend the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011. It sought suggestions and comments from stakeholders by September 24. While a ministry can change rules, an act can be amended only in parliament. Representatives of the food industry, citing procedural lapses in the proposed changes, have alleged that the government wants to "sharpen their teeth and extend their reach beyond the normal to target the industry."
"It is not understood as to how and why all of a sudden an unscientific and adhoc, restrictive definition has been flashed to food industry for comments," said Amit Dhanuka, president of the All India Food Processors' Association. The industry bodies said the government is trying to avoid a discussion on the matter.
ET VIEW
To Stay Out of Maggi-like Soups
Greater regulatory clarity is necessary to ensure that controversies such as the one over Maggi do not recur. The government's decision to consult industry is a good move. Besides ensuring that more realistic and responsive rules are put in place, it will also help address concerns that industry has had of late.However, the government must not limit discussions and feedback to industry, but also bring consumer groups, producers and all other stakeholders in the ambit of the consultations. This will ensure that definitions, rules and regulations balance the needs and concerns of industry as well as consumers.

11 food, pharma organisations seek CBI inquiry against FSSAI

New Delhi, Oct 1:
As many as 11 industry bodies related to food and pharma sectors on Thursday alleged that the food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has become “den of corruption” and demanded a CBI inquiry into the functioning of the authority, which shot to limelight over the Maggi issue.
These 11 associations, which have formed a National Joint Action Committee, also said that the food industry is being affected due to autocratic approach of the FSSAI.
The committee alleged irregularities in working of the food safety regulator and demanded a CBI inquiry into its affairs.
“Food safety authority has succumbed to pressure from Multi National Companies (MNCs) and wants to promote sale of packed food in India, if a trader wants to follow all the safety standards he can’t do so,” Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal told reporters here.
Khandelwal alleged that FSSAI has become a “den of corruption“.
“The environment in FSSAI is like of a private limited company, it has become autocratic, there is no actual representation of consumer organisations or business organisations on its committees. And as a result food industry is on verge of being ruined. Therefore we demand a CBI inquiry into the affairs and functioning of FSSAI,” he added.
He also demanded refund of Rs 80 crore which has been collected by the authority for product approval.
“We have collected data under the RTI Act and we are studying the data further which provided basis for the CBI investigation,” he said.
The panel, National Joint Action Committee, said that the advisories issued by the FSSAI since 2013 should be withdrawn immediately to give respect to Supreme Court’s order of August 19, which hold that these directives do not have the force of law.
Organisations including CAIT, Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association, Indian Hotel & Restaurant Association, Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs, All India Food Processors Association, Retail Druggist & Chemists Association, All India Transport Welfare Association and Bhartiya Kisan Morcha are among the members of the committee. FSSAI shot to limelight after it banned Nestle’s Maggi noodles on June 5 alleging high content of lead and presence of MSG in the popular brand. Protesting the ban, Nestle approached Bombay High Court which set aside the ban imposed by FSSAI on sale of Maggi noodles and asked for retesting at three laboratories.

Nirapara ban: writ plea filed

A writ petition was filed by KKR Food Products, Kalady, in the Kerala High Court challenging the order of the Commissioner of Food Safety banning the manufacture, storage, sale, and distribution of Nirapara brand of chilli, turmeric, and coriander powder.
The petitioner alleged that Food Safety Commissioner T.V. Anupama had misused her official powers and connived with others and passed the ban order under Section 36(3) (b) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
‘Beyond powers’
According to the petitioner, the commissioner had overstepped her jurisdiction. No prior notice was issued to the petitioner as mandated in the Act. The petitioner further alleged that Ms. Anupama harboured a personal grudge with the firm.

DINAMANI NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

ஊட்டி வர்க்கி தயாரிப்பில் எழுந்த சர்ச்சை அனைத்து பேக் க ரி களும் சுகா தா ரத்தை காக்க சுற் ற றிக்கை உண வக உரி மை யா ளர் கள் சங்க நிர் வா கி கள் தக வல்

ஊட்டி, அக். 2:
ஊட்டி யில் தயா ரிக் கப் ப டும் வர்க்கி குறித்து பல் வேறு சர்ச்சை எழுந்த நிலை யில் பேக் கரி பொருட் கள் சுகா தா ர மான முறை யில் தயா ரிக்க வேண் டும் என அனைத்து தயா ரிப் பா ளர் களுக் கும் சுற் ற றிக்கை அனுப் பப் பட்டுள் ள தாக ஊட்டி உண வக உரி மை யா ளர் கள் சங் கம் தெரி வித் துள் ளது.
ஊட்டி யில் தயா ரிக் கப் ப டும் உண வுப் பொருட் களில் ஒன் றான வர்க்கி சுகா தா ர மான முறை யில் தயா ரிக் கப் ப டு வ தில்லை மற் றும் கால் ந டை களின் கொழுப்பு சேர்த்து தயா ரிக் கப் ப டு கி றது என்ற புகார் வெளி யா னதை தொடர்ந்து உணவு தரக் கட்டுப் பாட்டு அதி கா ரி கள் ஊட்டி யில் உள்ள ஒரு சில பேக் கி ரி களில் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர். இந்த ஆய் வின் போது, சில பேக் கி ரி கள் சுகா தா ர மான முறை யில் இல் லா தது கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட்டது. அங்கு தயா ரிக் கப் ப டும் வர்க்கி உட் பட பேக் கிரி பொருட் களை, கடை களுக்கு விநி யோ கம் செய்ய தற் கா லி க மாக அதி கா ரி கள் தடை விதித் த னர். மேலும், அடுப்பு சுத் தம் செய்த பின், சுகா தா ர மான முறை யில் தயா ரிக்க வேண் டும் என எச் ச ரித் த னர். மாவட்டம் முழு வ தும் உள்ள பேக் கிரி அடுப் பு களில் ஆய்வு மேற் கொள் ளப் ப டும் என வும் தெரி வித் த னர்.
இந்த ஆய்வை தொடர்ந்து நீல கிரி மாவட்டத் தில் வர்க்கி மற் றும் பேக் கிரி பொருட் கள் சுகா தா ர மான முறை யில் மேற் கொள் ளப் ப டு கி றதா என்ற சந் தே கம் எழுந் தது. இத னால், வர்க்கி வர்த் த கம் பாதிக் கப் பட்ட தாக கூறப் ப டு கி றது. இப் பி ரச் னை யால், பேக் கரி வர்க் கிக்கு புவி சார் குறி யீடு கிடைப் ப தி லும் சிக் கல் ஏற் பட்டது. இதனை தொடர்ந்து நேற்று ஊட்டி உண வக உரி மை யா ளர் கள் சங் கம் சார் பில் தலை வர் முக மது ஜாபர், நிர் வாகி பாரூக் மற் றும் சட்ட ஆலோ ச கர் விஜ யன் ஆகி யோர் கூறி ய தா வது: நீல கிரி மாவட்டத் தில் உள்ள பேக் கி ரி களில் ஒரு சில பேக் க ரி கள் சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் வர்க்கி உட் பட பேக் கிரி பொருட் களை தயா ரித் தி ருக் க லாம். ஆனால், பெரும் பா லான பேக் கி ரி களில் சுகா தா ர மான முறை யில் தான் உணவு பொருட் கள் தயா ரிக் கப் ப டு கின் றன. மேலும், சுகா தா ரத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் ஆய் விற்கு பின் அனைத்து அடுப் பு கள் சுகா தா ர மான முறை யில் பரா ம ரிக் கப் பட்டு உணவு பொருட் களை தயா ரிக்க உத் த ர வி டப் பட்டுள் ளது. மைதா வில் தயா ரிக் கப் பட்டா லும் வர்க்கி ஆரோக் கி ய மான உணவு. எவ் வித கால் நடை கொழுப் புக் க ளை யும் பயன் ப டுத்தி வர்க்கி தயா ரிப் ப தில்லை. அதே போல், ஈஸ்ட் பொருளை பயன் ப டுத் தி யும் வர்க்கி தயா ரிப் ப தில்லை.
மாவை புளிக்க வைத்து, பின் அதி லி ருந்து வர்க்கி தயா ரிக் கப் ப டு கி றது. எனவே, பாது காப் பான முறை யி லும், சுகா தா ர மான முறை யி லும் வர்க்கி தயா ரிக் கப் ப டு கி றது. ஆங் கி லே யேர் கள் குக் கீஸ் தயா ரித் த னர். அதன் தொடர்ச் சி யாக கண் டுப் பி டிக் கப் பட்ட பொருளே வர்க்கி. ேமலும், இதற்கு புவி சார் குறி யீடு நாங் க ளா கவே கேட் க வில்லை. புவி சார் குறி யீடு வழங் கும் அலு வ லர் களே தான் விண் ணப் பிக் கு மாறு கூறி னர்.
இதனை தொடர்ந்து நாங் கள் விண் ணப் பித் தோம். புவி சார் குறி யீடு கிடைக்க வேண் டு மா யின் பல் வேறு கட்டங் களை தாண் டிச் சென் றும், ஆய் விற்கு பின் ன ருமே கிடைக் கும். தற் போது துவக் கத் தில் தான் உள் ளது. புவி சார் குறி யீடு கிடைத் தால், பாக் கெட்டுக் களில் வைத்து விற் பனை செய்ய முடி யும். தற் போது இதற் கான பணி கள் நடந்து வரு கி றது. அதி கா ரி கள் பேக் கி ரி களில் நடத் தப் பட்ட ரெய்டு குறித்து எங் களுக்கு எது வும் தெரி யாது. அதே சம யம், சிலர் அதி கா ரி கள் ரெய்டு நடத் தி யது தொடர் பாக சிபிஐ., விசா ரணை கோரி யது குறித் தும் எங் களுக்கு தெரி யாது. அதற் கும் எங் களுக் கும் எவ் வித சம் பந் த மும் இல்லை. நீல கி ரி யில் உற் பத்தி செய் யப் ப டும் ஒரு உணவு பொரு ளுக்கு புவி சார் குறி யீடு கிடைத் தால், அது நீல கிரி மாவட்டத் திற்கு பெரு மை யான விஷ யம் என் ப தா லேயே, தற் போது அதனை பெறும் முயற் சி யில் ஈடு பட்டுள் ளோம், என் ற னர்.
இதனை தொடர்ந்து நாங் கள் விண் ணப் பித் தோம். புவி சார் குறி யீடு கிடைக்க வேண் டு மா யின் பல் வேறு கட்டங் களை தாண் டிச் சென் றும், ஆய் விற்கு பின் ன ருமே கிடைக் கும். தற் போது துவக் கத் தில் தான் உள் ளது. புவி சார் குறி யீடு கிடைத் தால், பாக் கெட்டுக் களில் வைத்து விற் பனை செய்ய முடி யும். தற் போது இதற் கான பணி கள் நடந்து வரு கி றது. அதி கா ரி கள் பேக் கி ரி களில் நடத் தப் பட்ட ரெய்டு குறித்து எங் களுக்கு எது வும் தெரி யாது. அதே சம யம், சிலர் அதி கா ரி கள் ரெய்டு நடத் தி யது தொடர் பாக சிபிஐ., விசா ரணை கோரி யது குறித் தும் எங் களுக்கு தெரி யாது. அதற் கும் எங் களுக் கும் எவ் வித சம் பந் த மும் இல்லை. நீல கி ரி யில் உற் பத்தி செய் யப் ப டும் ஒரு உணவு பொரு ளுக்கு புவி சார் குறி யீடு கிடைத் தால், அது நீல கிரி மாவட்டத் திற்கு பெரு மை யான விஷ யம் என் ப தா லேயே, தற் போது அதனை பெறும் முயற் சி யில் ஈடு பட்டுள் ளோம், என் ற னர்.

DINAMALAR NEWS

‘No animal fat in Ooty varkey’

Varkey manufacturers in Udhagamandalam, who number more than 90, do not use animal fat in the food product, according to K. Mohammad Farooq, president of Ooty Varkey Manufacturers’ Association. He told reporters in Udhagamandalam on Thursday the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India officials had collected four samples from Ooty in the last six months and had said the product does not contain animal fat. There are 92 bakeries in Udhagamandalam and all these make varkeys.
The manufacturers have applied for Geographical Indication (GI) recognition too. “When we get the recognition, we will start selling varkeys as packed food too and we will display details of ingredients on the packets,” he added.

Organic? No guarantee organic products free from pesticides, says study

Samples of veggies, fruits and organic food collected from across India show high level of contamination. farms across the country.
Organic food products that you pick from retail outlets may be laced with banned pesticides. Even fresh fruits and vegetables may have residues of hazardous pest killers in them. A report released by the Ministry of Agriculture has found traces of pesticides in samples collected from various outlets across India.
The ministry checked pesticide residues in samples of vegetables, fruits, spices, red chilli powder, curry leaves, rice, wheat, pulses, tea and milk. Officials collected samples from various retail outlets, farms and organic outlets located in different parts of the country and tested them in 25 participating laboratories for groups of pesticide residues such as organo-chlorine, organo-phosphorous, synthetic pyrethroids, carbamates and herbicides.
A total of 20,618 samples were tested and pesticide residues detected in 18.7 per cent of them. Chemical contamination above the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) was detected in 2.6 per cent samples as prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The lab results found that 12.5 per cent samples also had residues of non-approved pesticides.
Over 8K samples
Ministry officials collected over 8,342 vegetable samples from various retail markets. Samples of brinjal, okra, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, green chilli, capsicum, cucumber, green pea, bitter gourd and coriander leaves were subjected to tests and in 2.7 per cent samples pesticide residues were found exceeding the MRL. Interestingly, 3.7 per cent farm-gate samples and 2 per cent organic outlet samples were found laced with pesticide residues exceeding the MRL.
Similarly, out of 2,239 samples of apple, banana, pear, grapes, orange, pomegranate, guava and mango, 18.8 per cent contained measurable residues. Also, 1.8 per cent of samples had residues above the FSSAI-prescribed MRL. "Residues in samples of grapes, pomegranate and apple were commonly found above MRL. There was presence of chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, cyhalothrin-l, buprofezin, metalaxyl and difenoconazole. As many as 225 fruit samples were detected with the residues of non-approved pesticides such as cephate, acetamiprid, carbosulfan, cypermethrin, profenofos, quinalphos and metalaxyl," the report said.
Out of 805 wheat samples, 17 were found to be carrying residues of deltamethrin pesticides above MRL. At least 6.01 per cent samples of pulses were found with non-approved pesticide residues. Out of 1,076 rice samples, 68 were found to have pesticides above MRL. "A total number of 1,299 spice samples comprising coriander, cardamom, fennel, black pepper, cumin, curry leaves and red chilli powder were collected and analysed, of which 107 samples contained residues above MRL. The pulse samples (715) were collected and analysed and only one showed residues above MRL. In four tea samples, out of 174 collected and analysed, there were residues above MRL," the report said.
After the report has found concerning levels of pesticide residues, the ministry has started awareness programmes for farmers. "We propagate judicious use of pesticides. It is very important to raise the education level of farmers so that they understand the hazards of excessive usage of pesticides on environment and humans. In organic produce, there should be no pesticides because these products are sold under the label of 'organic food'," said Dr KK Sharma, Project Coordinating Cell, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
"The pesticide residue levels are still in control in India as compared to some other countries. But there is a need for monitoring the use of pesticides and increasing awareness among farmers," he added. Organophosphates and carbamates can affect the nervous system. Others may irritate the skin or eyes. Some pesticides may be carcinogens. Others may affect hormones or endocrine system in the body.
Lurking danger
- Ministry of Agriculture tested farm produce samples for pesticide residues.
- 25 laboratories participated for testing possible presence of groups of pesticide residues such as organo-chlorine, organophosphorous, synthetic pyrethroids, carbamates and herbicides.
- Of 20,618 samples analysed, pesticide residues were detected in 3,857 (18.7 per cent).
- Residues above MRL were detected in 543 samples (2.6 per cent).
- Residues of non-approved pesticides were detected in 12.5 per cent of samples.
- While 18.8 per cent of fruit samples analysed contained measurable residues from which 1.8 per cent of samples contained residues above MRL.
- Four tea samples had pesticides above MRL.

Buyer Beware: Your food may be laced with banned pesticides

New Delhi: Vegetables, fruits and even organic food available at your nearest retail outlets may contain residues of banned pesticides in them.
A recent report released by the Ministry of Agriculture has found traces of banned pesticides in samples collected from various outlets across India.
The study was carried out by ministry to check residues in samples of vegetables, fruits, spices, red chilli powder, curry leaves, rice, wheat, pulses, tea and milk.
Officials collected samples from various retail outlets, farms and organic outlets located in different parts of the country, and tested them in 25 participating laboratories for groups of pesticide residues such as organo-chlorine, organo-phosphorous, synthetic pyrethroids, carbamates and herbicides.
A total of 20,618 samples were tested and pesticide residues detected in 18.7 per cent of them.
Chemical contamination above the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) was detected in 2.6 per cent samples as prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The lab results found that 12.5 per cent of samples also had residue of non-approved pesticides.
Over 8000 samples of vegetables including brinjal, okra, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, green chilli, capsicum were subjected to tests and in 2.7 per cent samples pesticide residues were found exceeding the MRL.
While 18.8 per cent of fruit samples (2239) analysed contained measurable residues from which 1.8 per cent of samples contained residues above MRL. Out of 805 wheat samples, 17 were found to be carrying residues of deltamethrin pesticides above MRL
After the report has found concerning levels of pesticide residues, the ministry has started awareness programmes for farmers.

Maggi noodles is being singled out, Nestle tells court

Huge damage to reputation and competitors are making fun, says the multinational
Nestle India has told the national consumer court that it did not want any further tests of Maggi as the high court was hearing the case against the ban its noodles.
Hearing the arguments, the consumer court on Wednesday directed the company to file its arguments against the Centre’s plea for retesting the company’s Maggi noodles before October 8, while expressing surprise that the firm would oppose fresh tests.
Opposing the centre’s Rs 640 crore class action suit against them, the company told the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission bench comprising justices VK Jain and BC Gupta that they were not in favour of getting fresh tests.
“What is the need for fresh testing when Bombay high court is seized of the matter,” Nestle India’s lawyer Arvind Nigam said.
Nigam then said that no other company making noodle products besides Maggi had been tested nor were there any bans on other similar consumer goods. “It has caused a huge damage to our reputation... to the extent that my competitors are making fun of me (company). While my product has been banned, government is not taking any action against any manufacturer of similar products... I (Nestle India) am being singled out,” Nigam said.
Additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain sought more time from the commission to present the fresh tests on the 27 sealed samples of different variants of Maggi collected from the market, to which Nestle had raised objections. The government also placed the samples of different variants they wished to be tested before the court. Meanwhile, the government wanted the Food Safety Standards Authority of India to be made a party in order to assist with further testing of Maggi products.