Maggi likely to make a comeback in Uttarakhand

After starting production of Maggi noodles last week at its Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand, Nestle India is likely to shortly begin sale in the hill state.

The move comes on the heels of the Centre's letter to the state, which states the Bombay High Court orders can be followed. The letter came after the state sought clarification on sale and production of Maggi.

But, despite the central government's letter, received on Tuesday, the state is treading on a cautious path and taking legal opinion.

"It now depends on the legal opinion," said Om Prakash, state food safety commissioner and principal secretary, health.

Nestle India resumed the production from Pantnagar after it withdrew a petition against the government ban from the Uttarakhand High Court in Nainital recently. Since the ban imposed by the state government had had also expired on September 3, the company did not wait for the clarification sought by the state government, the officials said.

The Nestle India withdrawn its petition from the Uttarakhand High Court in Nainital, in view of the Bombay High Court's order lifting the ban imposed by food and safety regulators on Maggi noodles.

The noodles were banned for allegedly containing lead beyond the permissible limit.

Nestle enjoys a host of tax incentives in the Pantnagar facility.