SC concerned over quality of Maggi noodles; asks Mysore lab to submit report on lead, MSG level

Expressing concerns over quality of Maggi noodles, the Supreme Court has sought Mysore laboratory report on lead and msg levels in the instant noodles.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Expressing concerns over quality of maggi noodles, the Supreme Court on Wednesday sought Mysore laboratory report on lead and msg levels in the instant noodles.

SC has asked Mysore lab to clarify whether test reports relating to lead and glutamic acid in Maggi are within permissible parameters under the law. The lab will give its report within 8 weeks.

The apex court was hearing  appeal filed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) against the Bombay High Court verdict.

The Bombay High Court had on August 13 lifted the ban on nine variants of the fast food and asked the company to go for fresh tests.

The food regulator had appealed to the apex court against HC order overturning the nationwide ban on Maggi instant noodles.

The SC, had on December 16 ordered testing of samples of Maggi noodles in Mysore laboratory after the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) had directed that it be done in Chennai.

A bench of justices Dipak Misra and Prafulla C Pant said, “During course of the hearing they (Centre and Nestle) agreed that the primary concern is health and the test has to be carried out to meet the parameters of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.”
“The consent was arrived that Mysore is well-equipped with all tests and being a referral notified laboratory, sample should be sent there,” it said.

The bench, meanwhile, stayed the proceedings before the NCDRC and directed that the test report, including the earlier one, be placed before it.

During the arguments, Nestle India Ltd, through senior advocate Harish Salve, opposed NCDRC’s direction for test at Chennai saying it is not accredited for salt and lead test.

This was vehemently opposed by Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi, who said that on their request the sample has been sent to Chennai.

However, later Nestle India and the Centre agreed for testing samples at Mysore.

The court’s order came on a plea filed by Nestle India Ltd against the order of apex consumer commission.

With PTI Inputs