Indian Government Files Complaint Against Nestle With Consumer Commission

The Indian government filed a complaint against Nestle India with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) on June 3, following a controversy over samples of Maggi noodles containing monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead beyond permissible limits.

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that the NCDRC will probe the matter and take appropriate action.

Kerala's Supplyco will Not Sell Maggi Noodles: State Food Minister Anoop Jacob
Ordering an immediate halt to the sales of Maggi noodles at the state-owned Supplyco, Anoop Jacob instructed officials to return the noodles to the supplier.

The government, for the first time, was taking action under Section 12-1-D of the Consumer Protection Act, under which both Center and states have powers to file complaints said Paswan.

He said as there would be delay in getting the reports from food safety watchdog FSSAI (Food Safety Standards Authority of India) and since it concerned consumers’ health, the government decided to file a written complaint before the NCDRC.

"If the FSSAI reports are found to be positive, it is a very serious issue," said Paswan.

Food and Drug Administration Declares Maggi Noodles Safe For Consumption In Goa
Samples of Maggi noodles subjected to lab examination for detection of MSG and lead in excess were found to be within acceptable limits in Goa.

The minister defended FSSAI over the Maggi noodles controversy, and said if a company violated the standards, the regulator cannot be responsible for it.

Asked whether FSSAI was responsible for not checking the quality of Maggi, he said: "After getting license, if someone does wrong and misleads the consumer, how can FSSAI be held responsible?"

Health Department of Haryana State Orders Testing of Nestle�s Maggi 2-Minute Noodles
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij has directed the director general of health department to get the samples of Maggi noodles tested from all districts.

He also said that until the inquiry was complete, the government cannot take action either against the company or the brand ambassadors.

The Delhi government on June 3 banned Maggi noodles for 15 days in the capital, after 10 of 13 samples were found to contain more than the permissible quantity of lead.

Harmful Effects of MSG in Maggi Not Clinically Established: Indian Nutritionist
Consumption of MSG does not have a detrimental effect on health as long as a person does not have any food allergies to it, says nutritionist Hena Nafis.

Source-Medindia