Maggi Recall: Food Laws In India?

Harsh Pais, Partner, Trilegal

It’s popular among children, students…why even the Army! 2 minute Maggi Noodles is India’s comfort food. Or was. Till we found out that it contains upto 7 times the permissible limit of lead! The Food Safety And Standards Authority Of India has ordered Nestle to recall 9 variants of its Maggi Instant Noodles and stop further production, processing, import, distribution and sale with immediate effect. This is the first such food recall in India and was prompted by tests conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Commissioner of Food Safety. Tests by Delhi, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu authorities also indicate higher than permitted lead levels. But Maggi did not fail all states’ tests (initial tests conducted by Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa…indicate Maggi meets standards). How come tests in different states produced different results? Is the FSSAI the final authority on this? What does the Maggi recall tell us about the implementation of food standards in India. The Firm talks to Harsh Pais, partner and food law expert at law firm Trilegal.