Ahmedabad: Amid the troubles faced by food giant Nestle’s Maggi noodles, Union food minister Ramvilas Paswan on Thursday said action against the product and people endorsing it will be taken if samples are found unsafe for consumption.
“When I came to know about Maggi issue I directed the department and the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to look into the facts and initiate action,” Mr Paswan told reporters here.
“Apart from the department, I have directed National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) to initiate action immediately because this is a serious issue,” he said.
Besides, the people who are endorsing the brand are also liable to face action, added Mr Paswan. “The action can be taken under Consumer Protection Act’s section 12 (1)(d) by NCDRC and section 53 by FSSAI ,” the minister said.
“As far as Maggi is concerned, it comes under the jurisdiction of states and different states including Delhi have initiated action against it,” Paswan said. “I have also got to know that Gujarat had also sent samples for laboratory testing”, he said.
Mr Paswan said this is the first ever case in India that the issue of substandard and unsafe food was being referred to the commission. “We will bring some stringent provisions in consumer protection act especially in the case of misleading advertisements and e-shopping issues,” said Mr Paswan.
