Published On : Thu, Aug 13th, 2015

Bombay HC lifts FSSAI ban order, but Maggi to be re-tested before hitting stores again

Advertisement

Mumbai/Nagpur: In a big relief for Nestle India, the Bombay High Court has set aside the FSSAI order banning the Maggi noodles for six weeks. The order states that principles of natural justice were not followed and so the ban should be set aside.

The court has ordered retesting of the two minute noodles and said that if lead is found to be within permissible limits after testing at three national laboratories, the petitioner will be allowed to manufacture all 9 variants of the product. The court has said asked Nestle India to send 5 samples of the product to NABL before manufacturing.

Food safety regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought a stay on the order.
This order comes even as the Centre has dragged food giant Nestle to the Consumer Forum NCDRC. Government has also sought compensation from Nestle in the case.

Meanwhile, Maggi manufacturer Nestle continues to maintain that tests and the decision to ban Maggi was arbitrary.

Maggi noodles, a popular brand of noodle manufactured in India, was banned in different states after a high level of lead along with excessive amounts of taste enhancer such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) were allegedly detected in the food item.

Lead content in 14 of 27 samples in India was allegedly found to be 2.8 PPM to 5 PPM (particle per million), which is above the prescribed limit of 2.5 PPM. Presence of excess lead is harmful for health.