Supreme Court Dismisses PIL Alleging Adulteration Of Honey With Sugar Syrup By Major Indian Brands

The Supreme Court on Monday (04.12.2023) dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought purity test of several brands of honey sold in the market due to various reports claiming that many major brands selling honey are indulging in adulteration.  

'We are not inclined to entertain this petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. The Writ Petition is, accordingly, dismissed' the Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Rajesh Bindal recorded in its order.

The PIL was filed by an NGO named 'Anti Corruption Council Of India Trust'. In April 2021, the Apex Court had issued notice in the matter to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The petitioner had claimed that most of the honey sold in the Indian markets were adulterated with sugar syrup. The increased consumption of sugar, will cause health problems in the population, the petitioner had pointed out.  

The petition had cited a report from the Centre for Science and Environment, that claimed that Indian brands were using a modified sugar imported from China which was helping bypass adulteration tests in the country.  The petitioner supported this claim by highlighting the increase in import of fructose syrup from China into India in recent years. 

Case Title: Cause Title: Anti Corruption Council Of India Trust v. Ministry Of Home Affairs & Ors, WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO.418 OF 2021

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