UP administration slaps fine on Nestle as Maggi samples fail lab test

It seems like the dark cloud on Maggi is covering it all over again, that’s why the district administration of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has slapped the company, Nestle India and its distributors, a fine on popular noodles for allegedly failing to pass the lab test.

The district administration had imposed a fine of Rs 45 lakh on Nestle, Rs 15 lakh on its three distributors and Rs 11 lakh on its two sellers.

According to the district authorities, it had collected the samples last year in November and sent them for lab test, which had found ash content above the permissible limits of human consumption.

Nestle India questioned the lab findings and said it has not received the order yet and would file an appeal urgently once it receives the order.

“While we have not received the orders passed by the adjudication officer, we have been informed that the samples are of year 2015 and the issue pertains to ‘ash content’ in Noodles,” said a Nestle India spokesperson.

He further said: “This appears to be a case of application of incorrect standards, and we will file an appeal urgently once we receive the order.”

In 2015, Nestle India and other companies had represented to the relevant authorities, via industry associations, to set standards specific to instant noodles to avoid confusion amongst enforcement officers and consumers.

“The standards have since been introduced and the product complies with these standards. We regret the confusion it may cause to consumers,” he said, adding that “We strongly reiterate that Maggi Noodles are 100 percent safe for consumption.”

Maggi was banned by FSSAI in June 2015 for allegedly containing lead beyond permissible limits, forcing Nestle India to withdraw the product from the market. Even in 2015, the Maggi trouble for Nestle had begun in Uttar Pradesh.

Following a legal battle, the popular noodles brand was back in the market in November 2015.