Supreme Court orders fresh testing of Maggi noodles

New Delhi: Supreme Court of India on Wednesday ordered a fresh testing of 16 samples of Nestle's Maggi noodles.

The apex court yesterday sent a notice to the Centre seeking their response on the plea of Nestle India Ltd against the NCDRC's order of testing for 16 more samples.

The government filed a Rs 640-crore suit against the noodle company for the unfair trade. Last week NCDRC had asked for 16 more samples for further testing and Nestle went to the Supreme Court against the apex court's order.

While, Supreme Court sent a notice to the government, it also ordered a fresh testing giving Nestle India another jolt.

Maggi after bans in many states returned a month ago to the Indian markets.

The fast and easy to make noodle product did not lose the popularity even after the ban and consumers were waiting for its return.

Previously, Nestle India on 9 November said it had begun the roll-out of Maggi noodles in 100 cities, terming the five-month ban as "one of the biggest crises" it had faced in the 32-year history of the brand in the country. It also announced a pact with Snapdeal for online sales.

"The return of Maggi Noodles on the auspicious eve of Deepawali and on the day of Dhanteras is a moment of celebration for all of us," Nestle India chairman and managing director Suresh Narayanan said, announcing the re-launch, after it was taken off the shelves on June 5.

"The crisis we went through is a big one for Nestle India. But we were always confident about the quality and safety of Maggi noodles. It is an important brand for the company," Narayanan told a round-table with journalists to announce the re-launch.

"The first to hit the shelves will be the masala variant, which will be available in single, twin, four and six packs. Other variants will follow later," he said.

"Maggi has special relationships and strong emotional bonds with consumers across the country and I am confident our bonds will grow stronger," he said. "Separately, Nestle India is pleased to partner with Snapdeal to roll-out online offers to mark this special occasion."

On June 5, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had ordered a pan India ban on the company's noodles on the ground that these were "unsafe and hazardous" for humans due to the presence of lead, allegedly beyond permissible limits.

After a five-month legal battle, Nestle announced that the masala version of Maggi noodles will hit the retail shelves as early as this month having cleared all tests ordered by the Bombay High Court at three accredited laboratories. (IANS)