Put corrupt food inspectors behind bars: Paswan

New Delhi, Oct 21: Reacting to a sting operation conducted by a televison channel, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday, Oct 21 said strict action should be taken against corrupt food inspectors and they should be put behind bars.

"Strict action should be taken against these kind of officials. As a Cosnumer Affairs Minister, I will take this matter very seriously," Paswan told India Today TV.

The TV channel conducted sting on Food Inspectors in some districts of western Uttar Pradesh which showed food inspectors' readiness to approve sub-standard product against annual bribe of Rs 20,000. One of the food inspector also shared the way they manipulate food items if the supplier does not pay them bribe.

"Though FSSAI comes under Health Ministry but irrespective of being under any ministry, if anyone is going to play with life of people then not only strict action should be taken but also they should be sent behind bars," Paswan said.

The Minister said that he will direct department under him to look in to the matter and work with FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to take steps in the interest of consumers.

The TV channel conducted a sting operation to investigate the ground reality after ban of Maggi noodles. FSSAI had banned Maggi noodles saying it was "unsafe and hazardous" for consumption after finding lead levels beyond permissible limits.

The company had withdrawn the instant noodles from the market. Nestle India had later challenged the ban by FSSAI in the Bombay High Court.

In August, the court lifted the nation-wide ban imposed by the Indian food regulators on Maggi noodles but ordered a fresh test of samples of the product in three independent labs across India.

Last week, Nestle India had said that all samples of Maggi cleared tests conducted by three laboratories, as mandated by the Bombay High Court. The company is now planning to relaunch the product soon.

PTI