Letters: This packet contains...

This refers to the report "After Maggi; food regulator turns to Kellogg and Heinz" (June 5). The Maggi experience has raised question marks on several other packaged food companies, and the Indian food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, has finally woken from its deep slumber. The consequences are clear: Maggi's production has been halted; the endorsers are being grilled by government authorities and the product is facing a ban across several states of the country, causing grave damage to its image.

But a new chapter has been written in this story: Kellogg and Heinz seem to be the new targets of the food regulator. This is not the first time a reputed food brand has fallen on hard times. Giants such as McDonald's, KFC, Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and others have all been in the news for the wrong reasons in the past. In the absence of a vigilant food regulator, these companies have been running successfully at the cost of the consumer's health. The need of the hour is consumer protection, which is only possible when the Indian market is free of adulterated products.

Ankita Kalia Chandigarh

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