The Supreme Court today permitted the Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) to get more samples of Maggi noodles to test the lead and mono sodium glutamate (MSG) contents in its taste-makers.

The bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice NV Ramana also asked the CFTRI to tell if the lead content found in its tests carried out in October, in pursuance of the order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), was within the limit prescribed under the food safety law and rules framed under it.

Maggi-owner Nestle is represented by Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas.

The CFTRI had conducted tests on Maggi samples in pursuance of the 15 October directions of the NCDRC

Giving the lab two months’ time to carry out the tests and submit its report, the court said if the lab needed more samples, it should ask for them.

The court was told that more samples were needed as the samples already used for tests could not be reused for further tests.

For more samples, if needed, the CFTRI would approach the NCDRC joint registrar who would collect the samples from the Lucknow godown of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The apex court on 16 December had asked the CFTRI to test samples of Maggi noodles as directed by the NCDRC

The court had asked the CFTRI to undertake the testing of Maggi samples as it modified the NCDRC order of December 9-10 by which it had asked the Chennai-based lab to test the samples.

Nestle India had moved the apex court challenging the December 9-10 order.

Nestle contended that once the NCDRC sent Maggi samples for testing by the Mysuru lab by its 15 October order, then there was no necessity of further testing by the Chennai lab.

The Centre had moved the apex court against the 13 August, 2015 Bombay high court order which had held that the labs that tested Maggi noodles were not accredited by the NABL, thus their findings could not be relied upon.

The next hearing of the matter is on 5 April.

Photo by Eptalon