Paswan defends food safety standards authority

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday defended the food safety watchdog FSSAI over the Maggi noodles controversy, and said if a company violated the standards, the regulator cannot be responsible for it.

"After getting licence, if someone does wrong and misleads the consumer, how FSSAI (Food Safety Standards Authority of India) can be held responsible," Paswan said here in a press conference.

The minister was asked whether the FSSAI was responsible for not checking the qualities of Maggi.

Paswan said the government takes action only after written complaints are received. But in the case of Maggi, it has suo motu ordered the inquiry as the matter is concerned with the health of consumer, specially the children.

He also said until the inquiry is completed, the government cannot take action either against the company or against the brand ambassadors.

The Delhi government on Wednesday banned Maggi noodles for 15 days in the capital city, after its samples were found to contain more than the permissible quantity of lead.