Centre doesn't want to create panic among food companies: Paswan on Maggi row

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ramvilas Paswan on Tuesday said the Centre does not want to create panic among food companies, or hurt investments through its action on Maggi noodles (a product of Nestle), but would take necessary steps whenever a complaint is made.

"If a complaint is made to us against a company, it would have to be investigated which in this case is being done by the Food Safety and Standards and Authority of India (FSSAI), but it does not mean that the company is good or bad," Paswan told reporters on the sidelines of an event on the National Mission on Safe Food.

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FSSAI's action against Maggi and other food companies has come under some flak after Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the action of the regulator has created an environment of fear. "We accept what has been said, but if something comes to our knowledge, action has to be taken against it," Paswan said.

A year-long campaign, National Mission on Safe Food, was jointly launched by industry association Confederation of Indian Industry and food major Cargill. The aim of the mission is to create awareness about safe and hygienic food among street vendors and others. governments'.

It would also meet regularly to monitor the facilitation process and issue directions to the authorities concerned.