SC seeks more reports on Maggi quality

Directions by apex court came over case related to MSG content in the instant noodles

Nestlé’s woes over Maggi are expected to linger as the Supreme Court on Wednesday sought more clarifications on the instant noodles’ quality.  The court also directed a laboratory in Mysuru to test more Maggi samples if needed and submit reports within eight weeks. The court will hear the matter next on April 5.

The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, is conducting tests on two sets of Maggi instant noodles samples sent to it last year. Reports on the first batch sent in October on directives of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) have been submitted to the Supreme Court. Reports on a second batch of samples are yet to arrive.

A division bench comprising judge Dipak Misra and judge N V Ramana on Wednesday asked the CFTRI to come up with test reports, explaining major aspects of the controversy related to the instant noodles. Whether lead found in Maggi samples is within the permissible limit; what is the permissible level of lead in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; is glutamic acid, a chemical the CFTRI has mentioned in its latest report, synonymous with MSG; and whether the Food Safety and Standards Act has stipulated a limit for MSG.

According to the court’s directives, the CFTRI can draw more samples and conduct further tests on Maggi noodles. An NCDRC-appointed commissioner will have to arrange for further samples from a Lucknow warehouse if the CFTRI seeks them.

The Supreme Court is hearing two matters in connection with Maggi noodles. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has moved the court in appeal against a Bombay High Court order that paved the way for the relaunch of Maggi last November. Nestlé also moved the court in December for a stay on proceedings of the class-action suit then under way in the NCDRC.

Wednesday’s directive is a setback for Nestlé as the controversy that started in

May 2015 and led to a nationwide ban on Maggi noodles will extend till April at the least.

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BATTLES IN COURT ROOMS

• Aug 11, 2015: Union govt files first ever suo-moto class-action suit against Nestlé, claiming Rs 640 crore in damages
   
• Aug 13, 2015: Bombay High Court strikes down nationwide ban on Maggi noodles as it prevented ‘natural justice’
   
• Nov 4, 2015: Nestlé secures legal go-ahead to sell Maggi in India
   
• Dec 9, 2015: NCDRC orders further retesting at a Chennai lab. Nestlé moves Supreme Court opposing the order
   
• Dec 16, 2015: SC allows more testing at CFTRI, Mysuru with consent of the company. Proceedings at NCDRC on stay
   
• Jan 13, 2016: SC seeks more clarification of test reports, directs CFTRI to test more samples if required and submit reports in eight weeks