Food Regulator Challenges SC Order to Lift Ban On Maggi Noodles

The food regulator has questioned the sanctity of the samples provided for re-test to government-approved labs.

Maggi packets displayed on the shelves. (Photo: PTI)

Just as instant noodles Maggi was readying for a comeback and hit retail stalls this month, food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) moved the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court order of lifting the ban on Maggi noodles in the country, spelling fresh troubles for Nestle India.

FSSAI approached the apex court, terming the high court’s order from August 13 as “erroneous” and questioned the sanctity of the samples provided for re-test to government-approved labs.

The court had allowed Nestle India to go in for fresh testing of five samples of each variant of the noodles at three independent laboratories in Punjab, Hyderabad and Jaipur which were accredited with National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).

It had clarified that these samples would be taken out of the 750 samples preserved by the company following the ban and if lead content was found below permissible limits by the three labs, Nestle India will be allowed to manufacture Maggi noodles.

In its petition, FSSAI has contended that the high court had “erred” by asking Nestle India to provide the fresh samples instead of asking a neutral authority to do so.

Earlier, the high court had quashed the orders of FSSAI and the Maharashtra food regulator FDA, which had banned nine variants of Maggi noodles in the country. It had said that the principles of natural justice were not followed in executing the ban as the manufacturer was not given a hearing.

A Nestle India spokesperson said that the company has not received any court notice so far.

It has been brought to our attention, that the Supreme Court website has posted that the Food Safety and Standards Authority has filed a case against Nestlé India Ltd and others. We are not yet aware of its content. However, we would like to reiterate that Nestlé India is confident of the quality and safety of MAGGI Noodles and so we will defend ourselves vigorously.