"On behalf of the Indian consumers, the Department of Consumer Affairs has now filed a petition in the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). It is based on the order of FSSAI saying that Nestle indulged in unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements," a senior official said.
When asked if the government is claiming damages, the official said, "If NCDRC finds the firm was on the wrong side, it has the power to impose financial penalty."
The development comes amidst the Indian unit of the Swiss multinational withdrawing Maggi from the markets after several states banned the famous '2-minute' instant food brand as tests showed them containing taste enhancer MSG (Mono Sodium Glutamate) and lead in excess of the permissible limits.
Goa today became the 11th state to impose a ban on its sale even as Centre indicated that more fast food products could be probed.
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"Since Maggi has been already banned across the country, we have decided not to take a chance and ban it in Goa," Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told reporters in Mapusa town near Panaji.
Cracking down on Swiss giant Nestle, Central health watchdog FSSAI on Friday banned all variants of Maggi noodles terming them as "unsafe and hazardous" for human consumption.
In Delhi, Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik when asked about the Maggi controversy said, "The lead that has been found in it, it is not good for the health. That is why it has been banned.
"There might be many other such products. It is not that one product was banned and its over. The Union Health Ministry and even the states are keeping an eye on places where such products are available," Naik said on the sidelines of an event.