Maggi effect: Centre to meet state representatives to empower consumer bodies

To strengthen and empower consumer bodies across India, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs will meet with various state representatives by month end to make them aware about the recent Maggi controversy through a case study and how to deal with such issues, according to an ET report.

"The basic idea is to strengthen and empower consumers and Maggi can be used as a case study for that," said a senior official at the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

The ministry is also working on Consumer Protection Amendment Bill and plans to add a new clause on unfair trade practices and misleading ads in the proposed bill. It will be later send for Cabinet approval. "We have always been proactive on issues that consumers face after they have bought products and feel cheated or unsatisfied. But we also want the new policy to cover concerns before or during the product is being sold," the official said.

Earlier, the government dragged Nestle to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) for "unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements" after several states banned Maggi instant noodles when tests showed them containing taste enhancer MSG (Mono Sodium Glutamate) and lead in excess of permissible limits.

But even as it snowballed into a major issue over the past fortnight, Nestle has been relentlessly defending its product, claiming it is safe for consumption, even as it announced a nationwide recall on Friday.

A representative of Nestle's consumer grievances cell said the company has set aside a dedicated team to address any issue on Maggi and its recall. "We can send our people to get Maggi packs collected from homes in case retailers refuse to accept them," the person said.

Experts feel that the country's consumer laws need to be overhauled to give Indian consumers larger protection and improved services.

Buyers take their complaints to consumer courts, but they cannot order any investigation. “There are talks of setting up a national consumer protection authority which can independently investigate consumer complaints. The government must take concerted action in this regard," Rakesh Nangia, managing partner at Delhi-based tax consultancy firm Nangia & Co told the financial daily.

The existing laws in India date back nearly two decades, with many concepts remaining unchanged since then. The consumer affairs ministry is keen to introduce the bill to amend the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, in the monsoon session of the Parliament.

(Image: Indiatimes)