India is suing Nestle for £64m after unsafe levels of lead were allegedly found in its popular noodles product, an official has said.
The government’s Consumer Affairs Ministry is pursuing the claim against Nestle India on the grounds of “unfair trade practices and false labelling” with regards to its Maggi’s instant noodles, it is understood.
The complaint has been filed with the country’s National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), which has semi-judicial powers, rather than through the courts, the BBC reports.
In June, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FFSAI) issued an order for Nestle to withdraw and recall its Maggi’s instant noodles, and stop any further production of them, as it deemed them to be “unsafe and hazardous for human consumption”.
In its report on the product, the FFSAI said samples of the noodles, which had been tested, found the excessive presence of lead.
“It is clear from the reports received from various states that there is overwhelming evidence of the said food products being unsafe and hazardous for human consumption,” the report stated.
“It is established from numerous scientific studies that presence of heavy metal (lead in this case) as a contaminant beyond the permissible limits is a serious health hazard and cannot be allowed in any product in the market.”
The FFSAI said it was also concerned that the noodles tested contained Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG), a salt used as a flavour enhancer, even though the product’s label specifically said that it contained “no added MSG”.
Maggi noodles, which are hugely popular in India, were pulled from the shelves
The report said: “The apparent reason for using such information on the label is to driven by an undue commercial advantage/benefit to create an erroneous impression in the minds of consumers regarding the character of the product.”
Nestle has contested the findings and has said the product is safe.
Following the FFSAI’s order, Paul Buckle, Nestle’s global chief executive, said: “Nestle has conducted extensive, additional tests on over 1,000 batches of Maggi noodles at its own accredited labs, complimented by tests on over 600 batches at external laboratories.
“All results indicate that Maggi noodles are safe and well within the regulatory limits established in India.
"Nestle has shared these results with the authorities as well as with the broader public online.
“The company also confirms that it does not add MSG to its Maggi noodles in India, as stated on the label.
“As some ingredients like groundnut protein, onion powder and what flour contains glutamate naturally, this may have led to the confusion and, as such, Nestle has decided to remove the specific mention of ‘no added MSG’ from the label.
“With the consumer in mind, we will do everything it takes, and are fully engaged with the authorities, to clarify the situation to have Maggi noodles back on the shelves at the earliest.”
Read more: Nestle to burn $50 million worth of noodles in concrete incinerators
Nestle Head sceptical about health benefits of the gluten-free revolution
Himanshu Manglik, a Nestle India spokesman, said he had no information about the government's decision to seek damages, the BBC reports.
Mr Manglik said the company had already sought “a review and interpretation” of the FFSAI’s decision in a petition filed at the Mumbai High Court and that it is expecting a decision on the matter soon, according to the broadcaster.
The Independent has contacted Nestle India for a response.
Maggi noodles are a household name in the country, where they have been the fastest-selling food item and have accounted for about 15b Rupees in sales annually.
Additional reporting by AP
