Supreme Court asks the Centre and State Governments to file Responses to a Plea demanding Stringent Laws to prevent Food Adulteration in the Country

On Monday, a 3 judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justices Arun Kumar Mishra and Amitava Roy heard a Public Interest Litigation filed by Advocate Vineet Dhanda. The petition raised several alarming issues regarding food adulteration in the country. The petition read that, "Existing laws regarding food adulteration are incapable of punishing the offenders who contribute to the menace of rising food adulteration by their wrongful acts and also the existing laws and guidelines are insufficient in totality to control the problem of adulteration of food and other consumable products in our country," 

The petitioner prayed before the Hon’ble Court to “Issue an appropriate writ order or direction directing the respondent-Union of India and other respondents to take immediate necessary steps to formulate fresh laws and guidelines to control the problem of rising food adulteration and adulteration of other consumable products in every part of the country.” The petition has specifically sought framing of guidelines to prevent adulteration of consumables like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, edible oils, honey, meat, spices and pulses. 

After admitting the petition, the Court issued notices to the Centre, all the States and Union Territories asking them to submit their responses on formulating stringent laws to prevent food adulteration in India. This development is significant in light of the recent controversies like ban on the sale of Maggi for having high levels of MSG and Lead. The petition has also sought for a prayer to issue directions to the concerned authorities to close all the companies which are committing serious violations of food adulteration standards and norms.

Read the petition here.