New Delhi : Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has not ruled out the possibility that actress of yesteryears, Madhuri Dixit Nene, who plays the ‘super mom” in various commercials for the fast food Maggi noodles, could face penal action.
Answering questions at a media briefing to celebrate the completion of the Modi sarkar’s first year in office, Paswan said: “FSSAI has taken up the case, it will take action. We have already written to the FSSAI.”
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is testing more Maggi samples collected from different states in the wake of UP FSDA finding that monosodium glutamate and lead were in excess of the prescribed limit in the instant noodles.
“Everybody associated with the “misleading ad” put out on the nutritive value of Maggi Noodles was liable for action under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI),” Paswan added.
However, G. Gurucharan, Additional Secretary (Consumer Affairs), who was present at the briefing clarified that although the (FSSAI) can take action, including imposing a fine, the final decision will be taken by the courts.
A complete report of the tests is expected in the next two to three days, and action can be initiated by the government against the manufacturer (Nestle-India), advertising agency, and promoters/endorsers (Madhuri Dixit), if an unfair trade practice complaint is lodged with the National Consumer Court.
While Bachchan told a wire agency that he no longer endorses the brand, Dixit recently met Nestle officials in this regard and said the company has assured her about the quality of the product.
On the wider issue of consumer grievances, Paswan underlined the need for creating an authority that ensures the protection of their interests. ‘‘One of the flaws in the system is that if a product or service is found faulty then the compensation is paid only to the complainant. We want to extend the benefit to others who have similarly suffered, even if they have not gone to the consumer court,” he added.
On the price front, the minister candidly admitted that controlling the price rise in pulses and edible oils will remain a challenge unless domestic production of these two items is raised to meet the demand. “Farmers need to be encouraged and incentivised to grow pulses and oilseeds and make the country self-sufficient, he added.
“Currently, there is no price increase in wheat, rice and sugar. There is price rise in 2-3 items — pulses and edible oils. Unless there is a permanent solution of increasing domestic production of these items, this problem (of price rise) will remain,” said Paswan. As per official data, prices of pulses have increased by up to 64 per cent in the last one year.
