Claims from Nestle India can go beyond Rs 640 cr: Govt

Government’s claim from Nestle for selling “defective and hazardous” Maggi noodles may exceed Rs 640 crore as it is tabulating further damages to be sought, even as the company termed the class action suit as disappointing and an unprecedented step.

Nestle, which had to recall the popular noodles brand after orders from the food safety regulator FSSAI, is the first foreign firm in India to face a class action suit, which was filed by the government on Tuesday under an hitherto unused provision of the <g data-gr-id="13">three-decade old</g> Consumer Protection Act.

The Consumer Affairs Ministry has <g data-gr-id="14">flied</g> a 45-page complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) to seek Rs 284.45 crore in basic damages and further Rs 355.50 crore in punitive damages, resulting in total damages of Rs 639.95 crore sought from the Swiss giant.