NEW DELHI: In further setback for Nestle India, Maggi noodles was on Wednesday banned in the national capital for 15 days, while various states sent random samples for testing.
The Army too asked its personnel to avoid consuming the popular instant snack, while Maggi sale was stopped by retail major Future Group and consumer cooperative society, Kendriya Bhandar in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir urged people not to buy or consume Maggi noodles.
Keeping up pressure on the company already in the soup, the Centre on Wednesday took a suo-motu decision to file a complaint with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. “For the first time, we are taking action under Section 12(1)(D) of the Consumer Protection Act,” said Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.
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Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said Nestle India has been asked to withdraw Maggi stocks within 15 days. “We will conduct lab tests of the fresh stocks and decide based on it,” Jain said.
Puducherry Health Secretary and Commissioner of Food and Drugs, V Candavelou, said order cannot be issued to withdraw the product from the stores immediately. “The samples have been sent for testing and further action will be taken based on the results,” he said.
The Army issued a written advisory asking its personnel not to consume the noodles and Army canteens have been directed to set aside the existing stock until further orders. The Navy and Central Police canteens were also asked not to sell the product.
The West Bengal government has sent samples of Kurkure and Lays apart from Maggi noodles, for lab test.
Nestle India claimed it has got samples tested in an external lab as well as in-house and that the product was found “safe to eat”.