Bombay High Court, on Thursday, set aside the FSSAI order banning Maggi noodles, citing principles of natural justice were not followed.
According to a division bench of Bombay High Court, apart from not following principles of natural justice, the procedure of issuing a showcause notice was also not adhered to while clamping the ban.
The High Court also said that the samples were not tested at accredited laboratories raising doubts on the results.
However, the court has directed Nestlé India to send five samples of each variant of Maggi for fresh testing to three labs in Punjab, Hyderabad and Jaipur in the next six weeks. If Lead content is found below permissible limit by the three labs, Nestle will be allowed to manufacture Maggi noodles in India, the Bombay HC said.
Meanwhile, hailing the verdict, Nestlé India released a statement that reads, “The trust of our consumers and safety of our products are our outmost priorities across all the markets in which we operate.”
It adds,“Nestlé India respects the decision made on 13th August by the Bombay High Court to revoke the ban order passed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and FDA, Maharashtra, on Maggi noodles and will comply with the order to undertake fresh tests.Nestlé India remains committed to working with the FSSAI, FDA Maharashtra and other stakeholders.It is Nestlé India’s endeavour to get Maggi noodles back on the shelves as soon as possible for the benefit of our consumers. We await copy of the judgment.”
