As was mentioned by Tilak Marg that the celebrities promoting Maggi through advertisement could also perhaps face prosecution for misleading the public, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ramchandra Prasad in Muzaffarpur in Bihar has directed police in Kazi Mohammadpur Police Station to register an FIR against two Nestle officials and film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta, who have featured in the Maggi advertisements and arrest them if required during investigation (see here). The FIR has been directed on a complaint filed by a lawyer Sudhir Kumar Ojha who said that that he was taken ill after he ate it. The FIR has been directed under Section 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), Section 273 (sale of noxious food or drink), Section 276 (sale of drug as a different drug or preparation) and Section 420 (cheating) of IPC. As reported by Tilak Marg, case can also be registered against these actors under Section 53 read with Section 24 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSAI).
In a related news, it has been reported quoting Central Government that any brand ambassador or celebrity endorsing products or services is liable for action if an advertisement is found misleading. Government has reportedly said that celebrities like Bollywood stars Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta are legally responsible, if the advertisements for the popular Maggi noodles were found to be misleading consumers. Additional secretary in the consumer affairs department has said that everybody associated with the “misleading advertisement” put out on the nutritive value of Maggi noodles was liable for action, but that the final decision will be taken by the courts. Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan also said that Government has referred the case to FSSAI for investigation and taking proper action.
Also see: FDA Notice to Madhuri Dixit for her claims in Maggi advertisement – legal and ethical questions.
Meanwhile, there are also reports that officers of Delhi government have found high levels of lead in 10 out of 13 packets of Maggi noodles tested from around Delhi. Likewise, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob of Kerala has directed civil supply corporations in the Kerala state to temporarily stop the sale of Maggi noodles.
As Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a large number of samples of Maggi from all over the country and their results are expected in next few days, more trouble may be in store for Nestle.
Meanwhile, film star Madhuri Dixit, who is facing a legal notice from FDA, Haridwar, for her advertisements promoting Maggi has tried to justify her appearance in Maggi ads by her following tweets posted on 30 May 2015:
Like most of India, I have enjoyed Maggi noodles for years. I was very concerned after recent reports and met with the Nestle team (1/3).
— Madhuri Dixit-Nene (@MadhuriDixit) May 30, 2015
Nestle explained that they always place the consumer first and have the highest quality standards. (2/3)
— Madhuri Dixit-Nene (@MadhuriDixit) May 30, 2015
Nestle has reassured me that they adhere to stringent testing for quality and safety and are working with the authorities closely.
— Madhuri Dixit-Nene (@MadhuriDixit) May 30, 2015
