Nestle yet to respond to Govt notice on Maggi, says Minister

Nestle, the manufacturer of Maggi, is yet to respond to the government’s notice issued long back asking why its products should not be withdrawn from the market, Government told lok Sabha on Friday about the food item which continues to be off the shelf because of a ban.Health Minister J P Nadda said if Nestle gives the reasons, the government will take that into “consideration”.

He said when the government told Nestle to withdraw Maggi from the market, the company was also given a notice that within 15 days they should give an answer why their products should not be withdrawn and that they should also give the reasons for it.“Till today there is no answer which has come out. So, cooperation from both sides should be there. We are asking for reasons. If M/s Nestle gives the reasons, we are going to take it into consideration,” he said replying to questions.

Nadda said the matter is now sub-judice and he would not like to comment on it further but made it clear that government wants to ensure that food safety standards are not to be compromised.Observing that Government was committed to maintain safety and wholesomeness of the food item as well as the growth of the food processing industry, he said the enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act and regulations was “in overall public interest.”

He said the Maggi samples were examined following uniform protocol, which was even prescribed by its producer Nestle.     

“Tests were being done following the prescribed standards. Even Nestle did not question about the facilities available in our labs. There is no variation in facilities, variation is in tests,” the Minister said.He said if a particular batch of Maggi was found containing the permissible level of MSG, the sample passes the test and if any particular batch had higher MSG level, then it does not.

“Tests conducted in Goa did not fail. Kerala tests also did not fail. There was export of Maggi from the Nestle’s Goa unit. So, it reflected that some producing units of Nestle maintain high standard, some do not. We are for more stringent monitoring,” he said. The Minister said there was no compromise on food safety and security but at the same time government would have to ensure that the industry also does not suffer.