New Delhi:  The Supreme Court on Wednesday  asked the government laboratory in Mysore to further clarify whether test reports relating to lead and glutamic acid in Maggi noodles are within permissible parameters under the law. Making it clear that it was not passing any interim order, a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said there was a need for the clarification. The court said the entire exercise has to be carried out within eight weeks and posted the matter for 5th April.

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed by Nestle India Ltd against the order of National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, NCDRC. The consumer commission had on 10th December last year sent 16 more samples of Maggi noodles for testing in the Chennai lab to ascertain the quantity of lead and MSG in them, in connection with the government’s Rs 640 crore suit against the company for alleged unfair trade practices.

The court had on 16th December last ordered testing of samples of Maggi noodles in the Mysore laboratory after NCDRC had directed that it be done in Chennai.

The apex court, meanwhile, had stayed the proceedings before NCDRC and had directed that the test reports, including the earlier one, be placed before it.