Noodles in a big soup

The Nestle’s Maggi turmoil for the past many weeks and its aftermath on many food brands has decreased the trust of the consumers on packed food quality specially the noodles which are in a big soup. Without advocating any interest, some facts have been pointed out which are of interest. Undoubtedly there is a need to check consumer distrust spilling over to many food categories whereby an impression is gaining ground among the public that all packaged foods items in India are unsafe as a result of the recent Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) allegations against Maggi brand of noodles.

Being a sub judice case, rumours should not float that leads to unnecessary speculations and anxiety. Consumers should however be careful about what they are consuming and not be deceived by tall claims about regarding a product being endorsed by luminaries or swanky press and television commercials. The need to view things in their right perspective and judiciously!

What has created confusion is the fact that something not found safe for consumption in India is passing the stringent food regulators tests in the UK, Australia or Singapore. How? While India does not have to follow the standards of these countries, but are India’s own food regulations meeting scientific and public accountability tests? This is a big question which needs to be answered.

While the current controversy emanated as a result of MSG (mono sodium glutamate) which is a permitted additive to food items being higher in Maggi noodles beyond the permissible limit, products with MSG does not mean that they are unsafe for consumption. Yes, the permissible limit of MSG need be adhered to. In fact, MSG is generally recognized as safe by US FDA, UN FAO and WHO if within permissible limits. Nestle should have known the permissible limit of MSG in their noodles as specified by India.

Possibly because of the UK, Australia and Singapore finding Maggi safe for consumption that the Indian industry body ASSOCHAM has expressed serious concern over widespread panic being created by the FSSAI and several state government authorities over safety of all types of packaged food items. ASSOCHAM has written to the Prime Minister seeking his immediate intervention stating that an expected investment of Rs 90,000 crore could be jeopardized because of consumer distrust being spread by the government machinery after withdrawal of Maggi from the market. The government should take cognisance of the fact without compromising on the safety and quality of packed food items under the lens.

As per an industry analysis this industry has the potential to increase 5-fold to Rs 5.65 lakh crores by 2030. The food products it is learnt generate one of the highest employment providing over 48 million jobs in industry, apart from another 25 million in logistics, transportation and so on.

ASSOCHAM  letter to the Prime Minister also mentions that the recent incidences of noodles recall coupled with onslaught in media has shaken confidence of the industry where besides an expected investment of over Rs 90,000 crores an estimated export of over US$40 billion will impact livelihoods, farmers, agri-wastages, inflation and moreover investment climate in India. With these kinds of statistics any fallible remarks be discouraged in the overall interest of the country while the allegations probed thoroughly to churn out the truth and a logical conclusion.

Undoubtedly, over the recent weeks the Indian processed food industry has come in for much negative publicity. The FSSAI action in the case of the Maggi brand of noodles and a spate of notices issued by various State authorities to several other manufacturers across the country, accompanied by simultaneous press statements have further aggravated the matter.

The negativity spread has spawned many stories that all brands of noodles are unsafe for consumption, creating a climate of alarm and distrust in the minds of the consumers about packaged noodles. Moreover reports are that various state officials have ordered removal of all brands of noodles from the retail shelves, ASSOCHAM has pointed out to the Prime Minister.

Stressing on the situation getting graver each day, the ASSOCHAM has stated that the industry is witnessing a gradual shut-down of factories across the entire value-chain, many of which are in the small and medium sectors, adversely impacting employment. In addition, this is bound to impact farm incomes given that bulk of the ingredients are agri-products as claimed. The damage suffered by the industry on account of this in the last few weeks is enormous and will take a long time to recover if finally the allegations are wrong.

What is not understandable is the fact that if these food products are harmful for consumption how did these flood the market? Were these food items not certified safe earlier by the regulatory bodies or had the regulators overlooked these facts earlier. In either case this aspect of the argument needs be considered simultaneously along with the ongoing investigations accessing the quality and standards of the noodles brand in question.

While the law should take its course, the Government needs to clearly lay down stricter guidelines on food safety standards as also refrain authorities from making press statements and taking any coercive action even before an adjudicatory process under the law has concluded. Such guidelines need communication to the State food officials for justice and fairness and in the interest of consumers who are the most confused lot in this ongoing tug-of-war game between the government regulators and packet food industry.

What ever happens, most importantly the consumers should carefully select any food item and product before consumption. This does not mean sub-standard food items or products manufactured just to obtain entry in the market. It means we should not go blindfolded even if a product is promoted by eminent personalities who a common man usually idolizes or due to ear soothing and eyes treat models luring consumers through various electronic media campaigns. An alert consumer is the need of the hour. The government regulatory agencies should also keep strict regular vigil against all offenders of food items that directly affect our daily lives. A periodical verification of FMCG products by government regulators be flashed on public domain for general viewing so that doubts can be cleared and nobody has any suspicion. “Doubt is good – it means you are searching for truth. Suspicion is sickness”. Of course those who flout safety and quality norms be strictly dealt with.