FSSAI, Maharashtra FDA defend Maggi recall and ban order

Bombay HC to resume hearing on Nestle India petition on June 30

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in its affidavit filed in the high court in Mumbai, said there was no anomaly in its order to recall Maggi noodles from outlets across India as well as to stop its production. Besides, the food regulator has said the directives, issued to Nestle India were well within its powers under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

FSSAI sources told Business Standard:  ''The affidavit has been filed in the court. There is no anomaly in the order issued against Nestle India.'' The authority said without risk assessment and grant of product approval, the product could not be allowed to be sold.

Similarly, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Authority also strongly defended its action to prohibit the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of Maggi noodles under section 30 sub clause (a) of clause (2) of the Act. The high court on a petition filed by Nestle India on June 12 had refused to stay the ban but asked both FSSAI and FDA to file their affidavits. The case is slated for hearing on Tuesday. The company has argued that FSSAI’s move was “arbitrary” and “illegal”. An FDA official said its affidavit has mentioned the tests conducted of 20 samples across the state before taking a decision to ban the manufacture and sale of Maggi noodles. He said, according to the reports of the state food analysts, the Maggi noodles manufactured by Nestle India found "unsafe”.