Nestle’s godown in Unnao houses SBI branch, finds FSSAI

Officials of the Food Safety and Standards Association of India (FSSAI) is reported to have stumbled upon a ''full-fledged'' branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) working on the same address during an inspection at a godown of Nestle India in Unnao's Shuklaganj area.

FSSAI officials noticed the surprise development during an on-the-spot check on the godown of Nestle India, which is on the records of FSSAI, officials of the central licensing authority said.

"As per the records in FSSAI office, there are five warehouses / godowns (having valid licence) of Nestle India in Unnao's Shuklaganj area. However, when we reached there, we found that a branch of SBI was functioning in a full-fledged manner on the address available with us," reports quoted Manisha Narayan of the central licensing authority of FSSAI, Lucknow, as saying.

FSSAI officials have started further investigations into the status of the godown and Nestle's warehouse licence. As per laid down provisions, the company has to surrender its licence if it wishes to change the location of its godown or go for a closure (provided the validity of the licence remains intact).

Prior to this, police had lodged an FIR against Nestle India Limited in Banthara police station of Lucknow for ''voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty''.

"The FIR, which has been lodged following the police complaint made by me, is against Balbir (in-charge of the company's godown in Banthara) and other employees of Nestle India. In my complaint, I had categorically mentioned Nestle India (as a party)," reports quoted Manisha Narayan as saying.

Earlier this month, authorities had seized 20 tonnes of Maggi noodles seized from a Nestle warehouse in Lucknow, which was in contravention to the regulatory order banning storage and sale of the fast food.

Earlier in 2015, food safety inspectors in Uttar Pradesh had found excess lead in some Maggi noodle samples declaring it not fit for consumption.

Since them authorities have tested Maggi instant noodles across the country ahead of a complete ban on the product.