Nestle moves Bombay HC to save Maggi from ban

Nestle India took legal recourse against ban on Maggi by moving the Bombay High Court over interpretation of the Food Safety Standards Act and sought judicial review of the order passed by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“As part of the effort to resolve the Maggi noodles issue, Nestle India has approached the Honourable Bombay High Court raising issues of interpretation of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2011, whilst seeking judicial review of the order dated June 6, 2015, passed by the FDA in Maharashtra and the order dated June 5, 2015 passed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI),” Nestle said.

At the same time, we are continuing the withdrawal of Maggi noodles products. The legal step will not interfere with this process, Nestle said, adding that the company shall proceed further as per orders that may be passed by the court. The Bombay High Court is likely to take up the case on Friday.

The FSSAI, on June 5, ordered Nestle India to withdraw and recall the nine approved variants of its Maggi Instant Noodles from the market which have been found unsafe and hazardous for human consumption, and stop further production, processing, import, distribution and sale of the product with immediate effect. The FSSAI had also asked Nestle to withdraw and recall Maggi Oats Masala Noodles with Tastemaker for which risk/safety assessment has not been undertaken and product approval has not been granted.

Following the problems surrounding Maggi, HUL also decided to withdraw its Chinese range of instant noodles from the market. “HUL had submitted an application with the FSSAI for product approval for the Knorr noodles in February 2015 and the same is pending approval. In conformance with the FSSAI advisory to State FDAs, HUL has decided to stop production and sale of its Chinese range of instant noodles till such time as its application is approved by FSSAI.