Delhi HC Stays Centre's Directions To FSSAI Prohibiting Blending of Mustard Oil [Read Order]

The Single Bench of Justice Navin Chawla has stayed the operation of the said directions till December 18.

The order has come in a writ petition moved by BR Oil Industries Limited challenging the directions issued by the Central Government to prohibit the blending of mustard oil with other vegetable oils.

By its order dated September 23, the Central Government issued directions to the FSSAI, asking it to prohibit the blending of mustard oil with other vegetable oils and only permit the sale of pure mustard oil in public interest.

Despite admitting that the Draft Regulations on this matter are in the process of being notified, the government decided to operationalise the guidelines from October 01.

Contesting the same, the Petitioner submitted that the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, cannot be circumvented by the respondents in this manner.

While relying on the judgment of the Bombay High Court in Vital Nutraceuticals Pvt. Ltd. & Anr. v. Union of India the court stayed the said directions of the Central Government till the next date of hearing.

The Petitioner in this case was represented by Advocates RK Sanghi, Satyendra Kumar, and Ishan Sanghi.