Maggi case: FSSAI to decide on moving SC by evening

The Bombay High Court today set aside the ban order subject to fresh tests being satisfactory

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The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will take a decision on whether to move Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court order on the Maggi case after it has gone through the full verdict. An FSSAI official told Business Standard, "We are yet to receive a copy of the order. We can talk about it once we have read it." Sources said a decision was expected later in the evening.

The FSSAI had on June 5 had ordered recall of Nestle India’s Maggi noodles from all over the country and had asked  the company to stop manufacturing the product, calling it "hazardous" for human consumption . Nestle India had moved Bombay High Court against the order. On Thursday, the court set aside the oder, but asked the Swiss food major to get its noodle samples tested at three FSSAI accredited labs—Hyderabad, Mohali and Jaipur.   

Read more from our special coverage on "NESTLE MAGGI CONTROVERSY"

• Bombay HC sets aside ban on Maggi noodles
• Nestle disappointed over Centres class action suit
• US FDA clears Nestles Maggi noodles
• Maggi imbroglio: 20k kg of noodles in Banthara was not for sale
• Govt moves consumer panel; seeks Rs 640 crore in damages from Nestle

While ministers and industry had started speaking out against the FSSAI order in the recent past, consumer affairs ministry sued Nestle India at the consumer court seeking damages worth Rs 640 crore under various provisions.

FSSAI CEO Yudhvir Singh Malik had in a recent interview told this newspaper that he was more worried about children consuming noodles with lead in it, rather than about anything else. ‘’If Im worried about my children, I should be worried about others’ children too.’’

FSSAI order was based on tests of Maggi noodles samples by about half a dozen state laboratories, showing excessive lead and presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG). The issue came into prominence recently when Goa Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) got the samples tested at the renowned CFTRI (Centre for Food Technology Research Institute) at Mysuru, which showed that the product was in compliance with standards set by FSSAI.