Maggi Back To Haunt Nestle? Supreme Court Revives Government Case Seeking Rs 640 Crore In Damages

The government’s case against Nestle India in the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) seeking damages worth Rs 640 crore for alleged unfair trade practices, false labelling and misleading advertisements, has been revived by the Supreme Court on Thursday (3 November), The New Indian Express has reported.

According to the report, an apex court bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said that the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) report will form the basis for the proceedings. The Maggi samples were tested by Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had stayed the proceedings before the NCDRC after had Nestle challenged it.

In 2015, consumer affairs ministry had filed a complaint against Nestle India before the NCDRC. The ministry had, for the first time, taken action under section 12-1-D of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 1986, which empowers state and central governments to file complaints.

The ministry, in its complaint, accused Nestle India of causing harm to Indian consumers by allegedly indulging in unfair trade practices and falsely labelling Maggi noodle products.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in the same year, had banned the Maggi noodles after it found excess levels of lead in samples. FSSAI had termed the noodles as “unsafe and hazardous” for human consumption.