Indian court lifts Maggi noodles ban on condition

An Indian court yesterday overturned a government ban on Nestle’s hugely popular Maggi noodles brand, but ordered further tests before the product can go back on sale, reports AFP from Mumbai.
The court backed Nestle’s challenge against the nationwide ban ordered by India’s food safety watchdog in June, calling it “arbitrary” and saying it violated the “principles of national justice”. Tests by some Indian states had found lead levels in the product exceeded statutory limits, but the Swiss food giant has always maintained it is safe to eat, and has continued to sell it in other countries.
“We have examined the evidence in great detail,” Justice Vidyasagar Kanade told the high court in the western city of Mumbai.
“Since the petitioner Nestle has already agreed not to make and sell Maggi until the food authorities are satisfied, we see no reason to allow any relief to food authorities.” The court ordered Nestle to send samples for testing to three laboratories and said it would only be allowed to restart making and selling Maggi noodles in India if the results were satisfactory. Nestle said it would comply with the order, and wanted to “get Maggi noodles back on the shelves as soon as possible”.

Indian court lifts Maggi noodles ban on condition

An Indian court yesterday overturned a government ban on Nestles hugely popular Maggi noodles brand, but ordered further tests before the product can go back on sale, reports AFP from Mumbai. The court backed Nestles challenge against the nationwide ban ordered by Indias food safety watchdog in June, calling it arbitrary and saying it violated the principles of national justice. Tests by some Indian states had found lead levels in the product exceeded statutory limits, but the Swiss food giant has always maintained it is safe to eat, and has continued to sell it in other countries. We have examined the evidence in great detail, Justice Vidyasagar Kanade told the high court in the western city of Mumbai. Since the petitioner Nestle has already agreed not to make and sell Maggi until the food authorities are satisfied, we see no reason to allow any relief to food authorities. The court ordered Nestle to send samples for testing to three laboratories and said it would only be allowed to restart making and selling Maggi noodles in India if the results were satisfactory. Nestle said it would comply with the order, and wanted to get Maggi noodles back on the shelves as soon as possible.