TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

NOC for the manufacture of unapproved drugs meant for export will be issued by the Central Drug Regulator
India’s Central Drug Regulator (CDSCO) will be the competent authority to issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC) required by pharmaceutical companies for the manufacture of unapproved, new, or banned drugs for export purposes, starting from 15th May 2024. The NOC will be issued by the zonal offices of CDSCO. The application for NOC will have to be made online. Prior to CDSCO, it was the State Licensing Authorities that issued NOCs.
Source: bit.ly/4dkZO8u

Producers of Batteries can meet EPR Targets and file Annual Returns by June 30, 2024
The deadline for meeting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets and submitting annual returns by the producers of all types of batteries has been extended to June 30, 2024.
Source: bit.ly/4a0Uynx

Private hospitals demand payment of interests from the government on delay of reimbursement for treatment under Ayushman Bharat Scheme
India’s Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI) has raised concerns over inordinate delay in receiving reimbursement for treatment provided to Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries, which impedes cash flow and poses serious operational issues for all hospitals. The Association has urged that the government pay 1 percent interest on payments delayed beyond one month under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which is the Central Government’s flagship universal health coverage scheme, as well as change of package rate to allow beneficiaries to avail of continued benefits from the Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Source: bit.ly/3wimXHQ

US government likely to ease restrictions on regulation of Marijuana
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is likely to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug by moving it from a tightly regulated class to a less tightly regulated class. Although the DEA’s proposal would highlight the medical benefits of cannabis, it would not allow its use for recreational purposes. The White House Office of Management and Budget is reportedly still in the process of reviewing the idea.
Source: bit.ly/4a2osrm

Form 483 notice need not to be responded by manufacturers of medical devices within 15 days: US Medical device experts
According to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials, a medical device manufacturing company is not required to respond to a Form 483 notice (Notice of Inspectional Observations) within 15 days. The 15-day deadline for response applies to warning letters and not to Form 483 notices, though the FDA advises that if the manufacturer wishes to respond to a Form 483 notice, then it should do so within 15 days of the notice.
Source: bit.ly/44FHVxn

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Indian Drug Manufacturers will have to put in place prompt and effective recall procedure soon
At a meeting called by India’s Health Ministry with drug manufacturers, the Ministry has reportedly reminded all drug manufacturers that they will have to put in place a prompt and effective drug recall system. Such a drug recall system is a mandatory requirement of revised Schedule M of Drugs Rules, 1945, which is scheduled to come into effect on 27th June 2024 for large enterprises, and on 27th December 2024 for small and medium scale enterprises.
Source: bit.ly/3wbgKgZ

India’s central food regulator to conduct own testing and investigation into pre-packed spices manufactured in India
India’s Central Food Regulator (FSSAI) has recently issued a statement declaring that it is currently in the process of collecting samples of fruit and vegetables, fish products and spices and culinary herbs, as part of its scheduled surveillance for salmonella and other contaminants. This statement has come in light of the recent ban by Governments of Hong Kong and Singapore on certain brands of Indian spices, on the basis that the products contained Ethylene Oxide, a known carcinogen that can cause breast cancer and lymphoma.
Source: bit.ly/3UFCXgH

Supreme Court seeks explanation from Central Government on proposal to fix prices for ophthalmologic procedures
The Supreme Court has issued a Notice to the Central Government, seeking response on the nature of power and viability of regulations that permit government to uniformly fix the prices across private hospitals for Ophthalmologic procedures. The Court has clubbed this matter along with a pending case, where the Central Government has been directed by the Supreme Court to determine a policy to fix uniform prices for procedures done at private hospitals.
Source: bit.ly/4bzRdx9

If husband is unable to contribute gamete, then wife is not barred from seeking gamete from a donor for IVF: High Court
In a recent decision, the Calcutta High Court has held that, under India’s current regulatory regime surrounding In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), there is no restriction that requires that either the egg or the sperm must come from the couple seeking the IVF themselves. A married woman may seek to obtain sperm from a third party donor.
Source: bit.ly/3Uocq68

Excessive prescription and use of Antibacterial medicine in treatment of COVID-19 has increased global Antimicrobial Resistance: WHO
The World Health Organization has recently posted findings from its Global Clinical Platform for COVID-19, which are an anonymized repository of worldwide treatment data. These findings have revealed that there has been rampant over-prescription and use of antibiotics worldwide, in the course of treating COVID-19, which has contributed to the globally rising Antimicrobial Resistance problem.
Source: bit.ly/4dnzWcb

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Manufacturers of Ayurvedic Drugs cannot claim “Certified by” or “Approved by”: Ministry of AYUSH
India’s AYUSH Ministry has reportedly issued a warning to all ayurveda, siddha, unani and homeopathic drug makers, against the use of any misleading, unsubstantiated claims and false advertisements such as a green logo or false statements like “the product is approved or certified by the ministry”. The Ministry also clarified that it has no role in issuing manufacturing licences or approvals. This warning comes in the backdrop of a misleading advertisements case against a major Ayurvedic drugs and products manufacturer in the Supreme Court of India.
Source: bit.ly/3UF32fP

After Hong Kong, US Food Regulator is probing Indian spices due to reports of contamination
The US Food and Drug Administration has reportedly initiated a probe against two Indian spice manufacturers for their spice mixes which allegedly contain hazardous cancer-causing pesticides. The two manufacturers who are facing similar controversies in Hong Kong and Singapore have refuted the allegations. India’s spice regulator, the Spice Board of India, has taken cognizance of matter and is working closely with the two manufacturers to ascertain the root cause of such allegations.
Source: bit.ly/3UB8q3r

India extends the approval for use of drones for spraying approved pesticides till April 18, 2025
India’s Agriculture Ministry has extended its interim approval by one year, i.e., until April 18, 2025, for drone-based application of already approved pesticides formulations including insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators which were earlier permitted to be only sprayed manually by knapsack sprayers. The earlier approval was valid till April 18, 2024.
Source: bit.ly/4bf9MX7

Indian FMCG companies are reclassifying popular health drinks as functional nutritional drinks to comply with the recent government directions
Days after India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a directive to all e-commerce sites instructing not to list malt drink mixes and other similar products under the category of health drinks, Indian manufacturers have started reclassifying their products. A major manufacturer of food products has classified its malt drink mix as “Functional Nutritional Drink”. India’s food regulator had clarified earlier this month that there is no category called “health drink” under which it grants manufacturing license.
Source: bit.ly/4dbOpb7

India’s Madras High Court denies relief to doctors for violating bond conditions; directs them to undertake Bond Service in Government Medical College and Hospitals
India’s Madras High Court has upheld the validity of bond service conditions based on bond agreements signed by doctors. The instant case related to temporary appointment of three doctors to the post of Assistant Surgeon in compliance with bond agreement. The doctors claimed that they had served during COVID-19 pandemic period and urged their service be calculated basis two years of service as stipulated in the bond. The High Court stated that the period of COVID duty done by Medical Officers after completion of their PG courses alone will be treated as Bond Service and services rendered by the Postgraduates during their courses would be considered as study period only.
Source: bit.ly/44opFYX

 

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

New Framework to be created to separately regulate prices of Medical Devices
In response to demands from industry associations, India’s Central Drug Price Regulator, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), in collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceuticals is reportedly in the process of developing a special pricing framework for Medical Devices comparable to similar prevailing regulations in other jurisdictions.
Source: bit.ly/49Wh8hc

Testing Standards for stability testing of In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices have been prescribed to obtain manufacturing/ import license
India’s Central Drugs Standards Regulator (CDSCO) has released a draft Guideline regarding conduct of Stability Studies for In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IvDMD). These guidelines cover the standards and testing for determining the overall shelf life, individual component stability, stability during transportation as well as, in-use stability of IvDMD. These guidelines are applicable for all manufacturers who are in preparation of submitting a pre-market review document in pursuance of obtaining a manufacturing/ import license under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017.
Source: bit.ly/4aP4TUJ

Students pursuing courses in Indian System of medicine will have to give exit test prior to applying for Registration as a practitioner of Indian System of Medicine: Delhi HC
In a recent decision, the Delhi High Court has held that only those students that have already obtained their respective recognized qualifications (either a BAMS, or BUMS degree) would be permitted to initiate the process for registering as a practitioner of Indian Traditional Medicine. This decision was taken on the basis of Sec. 15(1) of the National Commission for Indian School of Medicine Act, 2020 which mandates a common final exit test to be cleared prior to registration with State Register.
Source: bit.ly/3JxjPLo

Government relaxes obligation of deductees to pay higher TDS for persons whose PAN remained inactive for FY 2023-2024
In pursuance of Circular No. 3 of 2023, a person whose PAN (Permanent Account Number) has become inoperative has been subject to a higher rate of TDS. The Central Board of Direct Taxes has issued a notification recently, which relaxes this obligation of persons to deduct at a higher rate of TDS, for all transactions dated till 31st March 2024 provided that the linked PAN is reactivated before 31st May 2024.
Source: bit.ly/4aR96HE

AI Taking up more of Doctors’ time since it needs more training and monitoring
In a set of recently published studies at various teaching hospitals, it was revealed that using AI to manage patient interaction and medical records to assist Doctors has in fact, lead to Doctors spending more time on the tasks delegated to the AI, since the Doctors were now required to train and supervise the AI in addition to carrying out their regular responsibilities for these tasks.
Source: bit.ly/3Wg75QU

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Supreme Court clarifies when a patient’s negligence may be reduced due to pre-existing conditions
India’s Supreme Court has laid down the situations in which a patient’s claim for compensation due to medical negligence may be reduced on the grounds of pre-existing conditions. These are: First, when a latent condition of the patient has been unearthed; Second, when the negligence on the part of the wrongdoer re-activates a patient’s pre-existing condition that had subsided due to treatment; Third, wrongdoer’s actions aggravate known, pre-existing conditions, that have not yet received medical attention; and Fourth, when the wrongdoer’s actions accelerate an inevitable disability or loss of life due to a condition possessed by the patient even when the eventuality would have occurred with time, in the absence of the wrongdoer’s actions. This rule is commonly referred to as the ‘egg-shell skull’ rule.
Revised penalty will apply, even if the offence took place before the penalty is revised: Supreme Court
India’s Supreme Court has held that a repealed provision will cease to operate from the date of repeal and the substituted provision will commence to operate from the date of its substitution. The Court was dealing with a matter involving the determination of penalty for loss of liquor in transit. The unamended rule, which existed at the time when the breach happened, provided for a penalty of four times the duty payable on liquor.  The amended rule provided for a penalty equal to the duty payable on liquor. Since no additional guidance for the application of the amended rule was prescribed, the Supreme Court held that the amended penalty provision would apply.
Proceedings related to alcohol content in drugs under excise laws and drug laws can run concurrently: High Court
India’s Gujarat High Court has clarified that action under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act does not exempt an individual from prosecution if a case is made out under the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949. In this case, a pharmaceutical manufacturer had allegedly violated the State’s prohibition law by selling intoxicating substances as ayurvedic medicine and, therefore, was facing action against the excise laws as well as drug laws.
Limits on the import of Isopropyl alcohol relaxed
India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has notified the discontinuation of safeguard measures on the import of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) through a trade notice. Earlier, country-wise quantitative restrictions (QR) were imposed on the import of IPA into India.
Used imported medical devices with a minimum shelf life of 5 years are not waste: Tribunal
India’s Hyderabad Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has held that used medical devices with a minimum residual life of 5 years or more are not e-waste or hazardous waste. In this matter, a hospital had imported used medical equipment for internal use but the Customs had seized the capital equipment on grounds that the used medical equipment qualified as hazardous waste under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Readers, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

India’s Supreme Court extends scope of misleading advertisement review to multinational and domestic FMCG manufacturers, doctors
In a proceeding against a major Ayurvedic products manufacturer for publication of misleading advertisements, India’s Supreme Court has clarified that the decisions and orders made in the ongoing case is not limited to the a particular manufacturer, rather is directed to all FMCG companies who are publishing misleading advertisements and doctors who are endorsing medicines to public after accepting consideration from pharmaceutical companies.
Source: bit.ly/44b832P

Indian Government to scrutinize organ transplants closely after receiving reports of foreign nationals involvement in organ donation
India’s Union Health Ministry, through the office of Director General of Health Services (DGHS), has ordered state authorities to compulsorily create a NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplantation Organization) ID maximum within 2 days for the donor and recipient for both living-donor and deceased-donor transplants, citing reports of purported commercial dealings in organ transplants involving foreign nationals.
Source: bit.ly/3WcUKgk

New Telehealth Accreditation Program introduced in US
It has been reported that leading not-for-profit agencies in the US such as Joint Commission and National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) will begin offering accreditation for telehealth services to qualified hospitals, ambulatory care centres, and behavioural health organizations in 2024. The accreditation is aimed at filling the gap of legally enforceable telehealth standards in the US.
Source: bit.ly/3W8MKgg

Employee non-compete clauses may soon be illegal in the US
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a final rule to promote competition by banning non-compete clauses in employee contracts nationwide. As per FTC, non-compete covenants in contracts prevent workers from taking a new job or starting a new business, which in turn harms competition.
Source: bit.ly/3UtDRg2

French Government to turn down bid from foreign pharmaceutical companies to buy domestic generic company
The Government of France is reportedly going to block foreign bidders including two Indian pharmaceutical companies from attempting to purchase a domestic generic pharmaceutical manufacturer. As per the French government, this decision has been taken in the national interest to safeguard the supply chain of medicines.
Source: bit.ly/3W8MIFa

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Strict quality checks to be done by the food regulatory authority of powdered spices in India
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced plans to conduct comprehensive quality checks of different brands of powdered spices following an import ban by Hong Kong and Singapore on certain packaged powdered spices manufactured two popular Indian brands. The ban was ordered due to alleged discovery of a cancer-causing pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is also prohibited for use in food products by FSSAI in India.
Source: bit.ly/4b8aiWU

India too may soon allow sale of drugs without license
A Committee chaired by India’s Directorate General of Health Services will reportedly publish a list of drugs which can be sold over the counter (OTC) at retail stores, which are not druggists and chemists store. Unlike other countries like US, UK or China, India does not currently have any rule that allows sale of drugs over the counter.
Source: bit.ly/3UellH0

New voluntary standards for allopathic clinics to be implemented from June
India’s National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) has published Accreditation Standards for Allopathic Clinics (2nd Edition). NABH will start issuing accreditations as per this standard from 1st July, 2024. New applications or renewal applications as per the 1st Edition Standards will not be accepted after 30th June, 2024.
Source: bit.ly/3xKLMwx

Indian Pharma Companies need to implement differential pricing strategies to leverage patent cliff: DOP study
A study conducted by India’s Department of Pharmaceuticals (DOP) states that pharmaceutical companies should come up with competitive pricing strategies and investigate differential pricing models based on regional economic factors and healthcare systems to ensure affordability and improve accessibility to capitalize on patent cliff opportunities. The report states that over 20 drugs with a combined sales value of $251 billion are expected to go off-patent in the current decade.
Source: bit.ly/4dbsCAg

World Health Organization outlines ten fundamental patients’ rights in its Patient Safety Rights Charter
The World Health Organization has launched the Patient Safety Rights Charter. This first-ever charter identifies ten fundamental patients’ rights in the context of safety and provides healthcare workers, leaders, and governments with the tools they need to build patient-centered healthcare systems, enhancing patient safety and lowering the risk of harm. WHO has recognized increasing patient safety through systemic and systematic action as a global priority.
Source: bit.ly/3WcsnPg

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Insurance Regulator Removes Barrier to offering Insurance Policy to Senior Citizens among other underserved demographics
India’s Central level Insurance regulator the IRDAI has recently issued the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Insurance Products) Regulations, 2024, where it has removed the barrier to insurance for persons over the age of 65 years. Previously, persons defined as “Senior Citizens” were not catered to, in terms of fresh insurance policy offerings.
Source: bit.ly/3JsNLIj

Pharmacists who were not personally dispensing medication at pharmacy penalized by Karnataka Pharmacy Council
The Executive Committee of the Pharmacy Council of the Indian State of Karnataka, by exercise of powers under Section 36 of the Pharmacists Act, 1948 has decided to take disciplinary action against certain Pharmacists for violation under Section 42 whereby only Pharmacists are permitted to dispense medication. It was found that several Pharmacists in the state were absent from their posts and had only been registered with their pharmacies for namesake.
Source: bit.ly/3QB2jtJ

Consumer Affairs Ministry has urged FSSAI to initiate Action against major food manufacturer for high sugar content in infant formula
India’s Central Consumer Affairs Secretary, in a recent letter to the Central Food Regulator (FSSAI), has urged it to initiate action against a major food product manufacturer, in light of the recent serious allegations regarding the heightened sugar content in the infant formula the company has been marketing in India.
Source: bit.ly/3xUo0Ox

India’s Central Bank has published Draft Circular regulating Point-of-Sale Payment Aggregators: Requiring compliance with Guidelines for online Payment Aggregators
India’s Central Bank, the Reserve Bank of India, has issued a Draft Circular for regulation of Payment Aggregators providing point-of-sale services, whereby, within 3 months of publication of final version of this Notification, all entities that are currently providing such services will be mandated to adapt and comply with all requirements concerning Guidelines on governance, merchant on-boarding, customer grievance redressal and dispute management framework, baseline technology recommendations, security, fraud prevention and risk management framework, as provided in a prior Notification on Regulation of Payment Aggregators and Gateways published in 2020.
Source: bit.ly/3U7NwY7
Source: bit.ly/3w55rHa

EU may revise categorization of Personal vs Commercial Confidential Data in Marketing Authorization Process
The European Union Regulator has begun consultation regarding an update to the current regulation surrounding what constitutes Personal data vs Commercial Confidential data in respect of protecting business secrets in marketing authorization applications submitted by pharmaceutical and medical devices companies.
Source: bit.ly/3JvpCRA

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Draft Guidance on Vaccine Approval and Quality Monitoring at port of Import published by Central Drug Regulator for Public Commect
The Central Government has recently published a draft of guidance on (1) regulatory framework for conducting vaccine related clinical trials, marketing approval, manufacture, import/ export and post marketing assessment and (2) Risk Based Approach for monitoring quality of imported drugs, medical devices and IVDs at customs ports. Public Comment is sought on these above Guidance Notes, within 30 days of publication i.e. by 10th May 2024.
Source: bit.ly/3xIoiIv
Source: bit.ly/4cVOpvL

Merchants Association Request Central Government Intervention to Stabilize trade of Medicines and Medical Devices with Africa
The Federation of Pharmaceutical and Allied Products Merchant Exporters, an industry association of small and medium sized importers and exporters, has advocated for fiscal and trade policy intervention including continued efforts to stabilize Rupee value, by the Government to stabilize the export of Medicine and Medical Products to Africa, which has seen a sharp decline due to rising shipping tariffs caused by ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
Source: bit.ly/3Q8qlvT

Threefold Increase in FDI in Healthcare and Medical Device Sector in India during latter half of FY 2023-2024
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Hospital and Diagnostic Sectors in the country has increased by about 90% in the last quarter of 2023-24, as compared to the same quarter the previous year. Moreover, the Medical and Surgical Implements Sector has also seen a nearly 1/3rd growth by proportion during the same time. The total FDI received in hospital and medical devices sector stood at USD 462 Million.
Source: bit.ly/3U6Km70

Modern medicine Doctor body Expresses Concerns regarding Introduction of Integraded School of Medicine as Treatment
The Indian Medical Association, a professional representative body of Doctors, has expressed its concerns regarding the proposal of the Central Government to institute Integrated Medicine, which would offer treatments which are a mix of allopathic, homeopathic and traditional medicine. The Council expressed concern that due to the vast gulf in the manner of training, specialization and expertise between the various schools of medicine means that integration and cross practice treatment may pose severe risk to patient.
Source: bit.ly/3U6yi5E

EU and Japan harmonize Pharmacopoeia for ease of doing Business and regulatory Burden
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicine and Healthcare, and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare have entered into a Memorandum of Cooperation and Confidentiality, to coordinate efforts to harmonize the European and Japanese Pharmacopoeia, a move that would reduce the regulatory burden on manufacturers operating in the twin jurisdictions, with respect to carrying out compendial tests and IP approval.
Source: bit.ly/3UmRBJo

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, We are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Guidance for making regulatory applications for biological and biotechnology products such vaccines may be revised soon
India’s central drug regulator, Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO), has issued draft of revised guidance which seeks to align the online regulatory application process with applicable law i.e. The New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019. Recently, the CDSCO has started accepting regulatory applications through NSWS portal. All stakeholders have time until April 25, 2024 to submit their suggestions/comments.
Source: bit.ly/3JlwIrU

Indian Pharma industry has sought clarity from Government on ethics of sponsoring foreign trips of doctors to attend scientific and training programs outside India.
An industry group representing multinational pharma companies has reportedly approached the Indian Government for seeking clarity on the issue of Indian doctors being sponsored by pharma companies for attending medical events outside India. A recent guidance issued by Department of Pharmaceuticals called Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, 2024 (UCPMP) has stated that pharma companies will not sponsor travel and hospitality of Doctors unless they are speaking in medical events.
Source: bit.ly/3JklqnG

New Guidance document for generation and transfer of EPR Certificate under E-Waste Management Rules issued
India’s Central Pollution Control Board has issued a guidance document which explains steps to be taken by recyclers, recycling facilities under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 for generation of EPR Certificate. It has been clarified that EPR Certificate will have validity of 2 years. All importers and manufacturers of electric and electronic equipment including medical devices are required to procure EPR Certificates from registered recyclers to discharge their respective Extended Producer Responsibility obligations.
Source: bit.ly/44242Oc

Nestle wins class action suit filed by Government in the infamous Maggie Noodles case
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has dismissed the Indian government’s 2015 complaint against Nestlé India over the safety of its Maggi noodle products. The Indian government had accused Nestlé of engaging in unfair trade practices by adding a ‘No added MSG’ label and claimed that the instant noodle product contained impermissible lead levels. However, NCDRC has noted in its order that the lead content in the tested instant noodle products was within permissible limits and that the Food Regulator itself had permitted brands to carry No Added MSG label if MSG was not deliberately added by manufacturer during the manufacturing process.
Source: bit.ly/3vIR1MJ

US based telehealth companies penalised for selling personal information
The United States Federal Trade Commission has reportedly taken action against an alcohol addiction telehealth company, for sharing health information to third parties including some major social media companies and search engines. A proposed order to settle the allegations will prevent the company from disclosing sensitive data for advertising purposes, among other penalties.
Source: bit.ly/43ZfoCi