UP FDA gives nod to prosecute Nestle India over lead content in Maggi

Uttar Pradesh FDA on Friday went ahead and gave its nod to prosecute Nestle India over the quality standards of their flagship instant noodles, Maggi, an NDTV report said. The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) will file a court case against Nestle India over detection of high lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) content in a batch of Maggi. [caption id=“attachment_2256738” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Maggi. Youtube Screengrab[/caption] “We have forwarded the recommendation to our designated district officer to file the case against Nestle India,” UP FDA Additional Commissioner (Administration) Ram Araj Maurya was quoted by a Business Standard report as saying. The ‘contaminated’ batch of Maggi was picked up by the FDA  from Barabanki, about 25 km from the state capital Lucknow, the case would also be filed in a district court there, the report said. On Friday, taking a “serious” note of quality issues related to global giant Nestle’s famous noodle brand Maggi, the government had asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to look into the matter. Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had said on Friday that a class action suit could be initiated into the matter if a complaint with National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) was filed. In April, the UP Food Safety and Drug Administration had asked Nestle India to withdraw a batch of Maggi noodles “which were manufactured in February 2014” after it found high levels of added MSG, a taste enhancer, in the noodles and lead beyond permissible limits. Disputing the claim, Nestle India had said: “The company does not agree with the order and is filing the requisite representations with the authorities.” “It is a serious issue. We have referred the matter to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Under the current law, FSSAI has the power to take action, including imposing fine and hefty punishment,” Paswan told reporters on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi.