The Delhi high court has quashed all cases against shopkeepers in the 2015 Maggi controversy. All these criminal cases were filed after allegations of excessive amounts of lead and monosodium glutamate being found in Maggi.
The bench of Justice Madhu Jain said that when Maggi samples have been found safe in investigations by the Supreme Court and the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), prosecuting shopkeepers would be an injustice to them.
Understand every aspect of this decision and the entire matter through questions and answer round:
Question: What decision has the Delhi high court given regarding Maggi?
Answer: The Delhi high court has quashed all criminal cases filed against shopkeepers (retailers and suppliers) in the famous 2015 Maggi controversy. Cases were being prosecuted against the owners of shops from which the Food Safety Department had taken samples in 2015. The court has disposed of these petitions and terminated the legal proceedings.
Question: What reason did the court give for dismissing the cases?
Answer: Justice Madhu Jain said that when the very basis of the investigation has been scientifically eliminated, a lengthy criminal trial would not be appropriate. According to the court, there is no evidence of adulteration apart from the initial report of the Food Safety Analyst.
Question: When and how did this entire matter begin?
Answer: In May 2015, samples of Maggi were taken across the country. The initial report of the Food Analyst claimed that the lead content in Maggi’s masala tastemaker was more than the prescribed limit of 2.5 parts per million (PPM).
Additionally, despite claiming “no added MSG” on the packet, it was alleged to contain monosodium glutamate, i.e., ajinomoto. It was also declared unsafe for human consumption.
Question: How were shopkeepers and suppliers made accused in the case?
Answer: The Food Safety Department traced Maggi’s supply chain during the investigation. Apart from shopkeepers, FIRs were registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act against responsible representatives of supplier firm Messrs Dhingra Brothers and manufacturer company Nestle India Limited, and summons were issued.
Question: What arguments did the shopkeepers’ lawyers present in court?
Answer: Lawyers Rajesh Batra and Sonia Kukreja, appearing for the accused, argued that the Bombay high court had lifted the ban on Maggi on August 13, 2015 itself. After that, new samples were tested in three recognized labs, in which the lead content was found to be within the prescribed limit. Therefore, there is no basis left for the case now.
Question: What was the role of the Supreme Court and the Central Laboratory (CFTRI)?
Answer: When the case reached the Supreme Court, the apex court on January 16, 2016, ordered the ‘Central Food Technological Research Institute’ (CFTRI) located in Mysuru to re-test samples of Maggi. The scientific investigation report of CFTRI clarified that the amount of lead and glutamic acid (MSG) in Maggi was within the prescribed rules and set standards.
Question: What stance did the National Consumer Commission (NCDRC) take on this issue?
Answer: Following the Supreme Court’s directive, the CFTRI report was presented before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). While hearing the petition of the Central Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the NCDRC concluded that there was no evidence that Maggi was unsafe and the referral lab’s report would be considered final.
Question: What was the argument of the government side (state government)?
Answer: Lawyer Digam Singh Dagar, representing the state government, argued that the sample collection process was conducted according to the rules of the FSS Act. He said that the decisions of the Bombay High Court, Supreme Court and NCDRC were in different contexts, therefore the ongoing cases against shopkeepers should not be automatically dismissed. However, the High Court rejected this argument.
Question: What impact will this decision have on common shopkeepers and the general public?
Answer: This decision has brought great relief to those small shopkeepers who have been running to courts for the past 9 years just for selling goods. For common consumers too, this decision clarifies that the claim of lead and harmful elements in Maggi has been rejected in the examination by the country’s highest courts and scientific labs.
Know what is Monosodium Glutamate and Parts Per Million
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): It is a flavor enhancer used to increase the taste of food. It is also found in many natural things (such as tomatoes, cheese).
- Parts Per Million (PPM): It is a unit for measuring the purity or adulteration of an element. 1 PPM means 1 part out of 10 lakh parts. Under food regulations, the lead limit in Maggi is set at 2.5 PPM.
