CAIT wrote to Paswan and Nadda asking action against Maggi brand Ambassadors
Nagpur: “When a proceedings against Maggie is launched by FSSAI, why no action is being taken against its Brand Ambassadors and the chain of officials who approved the Product despite it having either deficiencies or exaggerated good claims.”-asked the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in a communication sent to Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and Union Health Minister J P Nadda today. The CAIT is worried as lakhs of traders across the Country dealing in FMCG products are suffering losses due to Maggie incident since it has damaged the confidence of consumers and the traders as well.
CAIT National President B C Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal in communication to Paswan and Nadda said that Brand Ambassadors of Maggi have violated Section 24 of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and therefore proceedings must be initiated against them also beside taking action against Manufacturer.
Section 24 provides for restrictions on Advertisement of any food which misleads or deceives or contravenes the provisions of FSSAI Act, Rules & Regulations made there-under.
On pack of Maggie pack it is claimed that Maggie has “Grain Shakti” without elaborating which grain and how much Shakti. They have mentioned “fibre of three roties” without specifying grain used for making roti and size and thickness of roti. They have claimed “Taste Bhi Health Bhi” without specifying what type of health and which part of body will become healthy. They have claimed “Good food Good life” fully knowing that the ingredients contain lead beyond prescribed limit and high amount of MSG, the consumption of which can damage multiple organs of body.
The Brand Ambassadors even while knowing the facts have promoted sales by claiming Maggie as a meal supplement and good for health whereas above facts clearly establishes that the Advertisements are deceptive and misleading. The Brand Ambassador have given health guarantee to the public which is not based on any adequate or scientific judgement and therefore makes Brand Ambassadors liable to face prosecution for violation of Section 24 of FSSAI Act,2006.
In its communication, the CAIT has drawn attention of the statement of Nestle Global CEO Paul Bulcke made a day ago in New Delhi while addressing a Press Conference that “We apply the same quality standards and methods in the world here in India too”. If this is so why the Maggie pack contains a line”. For sale in India, Nepal & Bhutan” only. It speaks double standards of Nestle and must be taken notice of.
The CAIT has asked both Paswan and J P Nadda to take immediate cognizance of this issue and issue appropriate directions to concerned Authorities.
