Food Adulteration: Punjab & Haryana High Court Directs Registry To Get Lab Tests Of Mustard Oil Sold By Three Popular Brands

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed its Registry to purchase one litre mustard oil of three different popular brands and send it to laboratory testing in order to find out whether it is blended with other refined oil, in violation of Food Safety norms.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal perusing the status report filed by the Punjab Government noted that, "the instances of adverse action taken against the defaulters indulging in mis-branding, adulteration or blending of mustard oil, are perfunctory. Respondents do not appear to be either serious about taking action against the defaulters or the concerned legislation does not have enough teeth."

The division bench further said that a large number of complaints are being received as regards blending of mustard oil with other oils e.g. refined rice bran oil, despite the said process of blending having been prohibited under Rule 2.1 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales and Regulations, 2011).

Consequently, the Court opined that it would be appropriate to test the mustard oil of at least three different popular brands from any of the Central Laboratories situated within the Union Territory of Chandigarh or the States of Punjab or Haryana.

"The test be conducted within a period of 15 days and the report in that regard be submitted before this Court in a sealed cover specifically pointing out as to whether the mustard oil is mixed with some other oil or not and the percentage thereof," it added.

In the light of the above, the Court directed the Registrar General to purchase one litre of mustard oil of three different popular brands out of the Contingency Fund of Chief Justice and send 500 ml of each of there brands to Regional Agmark Laboratory, Amritsar for testing.

While listing the matter for November 13, it directed that the Report of Laboratory be placed before the Court on or before the next date of hearing.

Mr.Ashok Kumar Nabhewala, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Saurav Khurana, Additional Advocate General, Punjab.

Mr.Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General with Mr.Anil Chawla, Advocate for Union of India.

Title: RAJESH GUPTA V/S UNION OF INDIA & ORS

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