Page 1

1

REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION

WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 681 OF 2004

Centre for Public Interest Litigation        .. Petitioner

Versus  

Union of India and Others  .. Respondents

J U D G M E N T

K. S. Radhakrishnan, J.

1. The  writ  petition  was  preferred  for  constituting  an  

independent  Expert/Technical  Committee  to  evaluate  the  

harmful effects of soft drinks on human health, particularly  

on  the  health  of  the  children,  and also  for  a  direction  to  

respondent  No.  1  –  Union  of  India  –  to  put  in  place  a  

regulatory  regime   which  could  control  and  check  the  

contents in a particular chemical additive in foods, including  

soft drinks.  Further, direction was also sought for against  

respondent no. 1 to make it mandatory for the soft drinks

Page 2

2 manufacturers  to  disclose  the  contents  and  their  specific  

quantity on the labels of soft drinks, including appropriate  

warnings, qua a particular ingredient, and its harmful effects  

on the people.  Petitioner has also sought for a direction to  

respondent  no.  1  to  check  and  control  the  misleading  

advertising  of  soft  drinks,  particularly  advertisements  

targeted  at  children,  unwary  uneducated  and  illiterate  

people.   

2. The  Union  of  India  and  other  respondents  have  

maintained the stand that the Food Supply and Standards  

Act, 2006 (the FSS Act), along with its Rules and Regulations  

framed thereunder, constitute a vigorous regulatory regime,  

which takes care of all the above mentioned situations and  

provisions of the FSS Act and the Rules and Regulations are  

being  enforced  scrupulously  and  meticulously.   Over  and  

above, it was pointed, in pursuance to the orders passed by  

this Court on 8.2.2011 and 15.4.2011, the Food and Safety  

Standards Authority of India (for short “the Food Authority”)  

examined  the  various  grievances  raised  by  the  petitioner  

and passed the order on 12.9.2012.  The findings recorded  

in the order dated 12.9.2012 passed by the Food Authority

Page 3

3 would allay all  the fears and apprehensions raised by the  

writ petitioner and in any view the same could be taken care  

of by the authorities functioning under the provisions of the  

FSS  Act  as  well  as  the  Rules  and  Regulations  framed  

thereunder.    Further,  it  was  also  pointed  out  that  if  the  

petitioner  or  any other  citizen  has any grievance,  he can  

always approach the statutory authorities functioning under  

the FSS Act and, hence, no further directions are called for  

from this Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India.

3. We have gone through the various provisions of the FSS  

Act,  the  Food  Safety  and  the  Standards  (Food  Products  

Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, the Food  

Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations,  

2011,  Prevention  of  Food  Adulteration  Act  and  the  Rules  

framed  thereunder,  etc.   In  our  view,  by  and  large,  the  

various grievances raised by the petitioner are seen covered  

by the above mentioned legislations, but the question is only  

with  regard  to  their  enforcement  by  the  authorities  

functioning  under these legislations.  

Page 4

4 4. We have already indicated that the main apprehension  

of the petitioner is that there is no proper regulatory regime  

in  place to  evaluate the harmful  effects  of  soft  drinks  on  

human health, particularly on the health of children and also  

there is no mechanism to control and check the contents in  

particular  chemical  additive  in  food,  including  soft  drinks.  

Petitioner also submitted that, though two separate scientific  

panels  for  additives,  labelling  and  advertising  were  

constituted on the basis of the directions given by this Court,  

the petitioner’s grievances regarding the ingredients of soft  

drinks were considered by the scientific panel on labelling  

and  advertising  and  not  by  the  scientific  panel  on  food  

additives.   Petitioner submitted that the issue could have  

been considered by the scientific  panel  for  food additives  

only and not  by the panel  which has been constituted to  

consider issues of labelling and advertising.   The petitioner  

also submitted that even the recommendations made by the  

Ganguly  Committee  were  not  followed  by  the  above  

mentioned  committees.    Ganguly  Committee  has  

recommended for a “well controlled studies to assess effects  

of consumption of carbonated water on health” and also an

Page 5

5 independent cell for “risk analysis”.   Petitioner has pointed  

out  that  consumption  of  large  amount  of  Caffeine  

(methylated xanthine)   can cause diseases and disorders,  

such as,  insomnia, nervousness, anxiety and so on, which  

has been used as an additive in soft drinks and is harmful to  

human  life.   In  support  of  this  contention,  reference  has  

been  made  to  various  research  papers  which  have  

highlighted the harmful effects of consumption of Caffeine.  

5. Petitioner has also highlighted the harmful  effects on  

children created through misleading advertising,  for  which  

reference has been made on the study conducted by the  

World Health Organisation (WHO) and also on various study  

papers  published  in  the  several  International  journals,  

highlighting  the  impact  of  advertising  on  children  and  its  

harmful effects.   

6. We  have  already  indicated  that  on  the  basis  of  the  

orders passed by this Court on 8.2.2011 and 15.4.2011 and  

in exercise of powers conferred under Section 13(4) of the  

FSS Act, the Food Authority, constituted an expert Scientific  

Panel  on Labelling and Claims/Advertising and that  Panel,

Page 6

6 after  examining  the  various  grievances  raised  by  the  

petitioner and giving an opportunity of being heard, passed  

an order on 12.9.2012, the operative portion of the same  

reads as under:

“a) Soft drinks as referred in the representation  (Petitioner’s  representation  dated  18.03.2011),  are  regulated  as  carbonated  water in accordance with the standards under  Food Safety and Standard Regulation, 2011.”  “(W)ith  the  existing  consumption  pattern  prevalent  in  the  country  as  reported  in  the  above referred data, the ingredients present  in the beverage do not appear to pose any  health hazard.”

b) The labelling of soft drinks is governed by the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Packaging  and  Labelling) Regulations, 2011.  “(T)he labelling  provisions  of  carbonated  beverages  is  in  compliance  with  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Packaging  and  Labelling)  Regulations, 2011.”

c) The advertisement of carbonated beverages  is  governed  inter  alia by  the  Prevention  of  Food Adulteration Act, 1954, Food Safety and  Standards (Restriction of Advertisement) and  Regulation,  2011  and  the  Advertising  Standards Council of India (ASCI) Code.  The

Page 7

7 advertisement  of  carbonated  beverages  complies with the provisions of the Prevention  of  Food  Adulteration  Act,  1954,  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Restriction  of  Advertisement) Regulation 2011 and the ASCI  Code.”

7. We find  that  the  scientific  panel  consists  of  eminent  

food  scientists,  chemical  engineers,  nutritionists,  public  

health  experts,  toxicologists  etc.   Petitioner  raised  the  

contention that the objection raised by it was considered by  

the Committee whose title is the Scientific Panel on Labelling  

and Claims/Advertising, even though the Food Authority has  

a panel with the words “Food Additives” in its title.  We find  

not  much  force  in  this  contention,  when  we examine the  

credentials  of  the  members  of  the  scientific  panel  on  

labelling/advertising.  Further, we notice that the grievances  

were examined by the experts who are scientific experts, not  

by  the  members  of  the  panel  chosen,  who  are  only  

conversant with labelling/advertising etc.   In any view, we  

notice that the Act provides for a machinery for examining  

the grievances and if a citizen has got any complaint with  

regard to the ingredients of any soft drinks, he can approach

Page 8

8 the  machinery.    Section  40 of  FSS Act  also  enables  the  

purchaser of any article of food to get analyzed such food  

from the Food Analyst after informating the food business  

operator  at  the  time of  purchase of  his  intention to  have  

such article so analyzed.    The Statute also provides penal  

provisions  in  case  there  is  a  contravention  or  non-

compliance of the regulations framed.    

8. FSS Act has been enacted to consolidate laws relating  

to  food  and  to  establish  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  

Authority in India for laying down science based standards  

for articles of food.  The Act is also intended to regulate the  

manufacture,  storage,  distribution,  sale  and  import,  to  

ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human  

consumption.    The Act is based on international legislations,  

instrumentalities and Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).  

CAC was created in 1961/62 by the Food and Agricultural  

Organization of United Nations (FAO) and WHO to develop  

the  food  standards,  guidelines  and  related  texts  such  as  

codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards  

Programme.    The  main  purpose  this  programme  is  to  

protect the health of consumers, ensure fair practices in the

Page 9

9 food trade, and promote coordination of all food standards  

work  undertaken  by  international  governmental  and  non-

governmental  organizations.   “Codex  India”  the  National  

Codex  Contact  Point  (NCCP)  for  India,  coordinates  and  

promotes  Codex activities  in  India  in  association  with  the  

National Codex Committee and facilitates India’s input to the  

work of Codex through an established consultation process.

9. The  Act  empowered  the  Central  Government  to  

constitute the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India  

(hereinafter being referred to as “the Food Authority”) under  

Section  4  of  the  FSS  Act.   The  Food  Authority  is  also  

authorised to constitute a Central  Advisory Committee,  so  

also Scientific Panels.  Section 13 of the FSS Act states that  

the  Food  Authority  shall  establish  scientific  panels  which  

shall  consist  of  independent  scientific  experts  with  

representatives of industry and consumer organisations in its  

deliberations.   The  Food  Authority  may  also  establish  as  

many scientific panels, as it considers necessary, in addition  

to panels on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and  

materials  in  contact  with  food;  pesticides  and  antibiotics  

residues.   The Food Authority, under Section 14 of the FSS

Page 10

10 Act,  can also constitute Scientific  Committee consisting of  

Chairpersons  of  Scientific  Panels  and  six  independent  

scientific  experts  not  belonging  to  any  of  the  scientific  

panels.   The Committee shall  be responsible for  providing  

the scientific opinions to the Food Authority and shall have  

the powers for  organising public hearings.    The Scientific  

Committee  shall  provide  opinion  on  multi-sectoral  issues  

falling  within  the competence of  more  than one Scientific  

Panel and set up working groups on issues which does not  

fall under scientific panels.  The duties and functions of the  

Food Authority have been elaborately dealt with in Section  

16 of the FSS Act, which states that it shall be the duty of the  

Food  Authority  to  regulate  and  monitor  the  manufacture,  

processing, distribution, sale and import of food, and shall  

specify,  by  regulations,  the  standards  and  guidelines  in  

relation to articles of food, mechanisms and guidelines for  

accreditation of certification bodies engaged in certification  

of food safety management systems for food businesses and  

notify the accredited laboratories etc.  

Page 11

11 10. Chapter  III  deals  with  the  general  principles  of  food  

safety.  The said provisions are extracted hereunder for an  

easy reference:

“                                CHAPTER III

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF FOOD SAFETY

    18. General principles to be followed in  administration of Act.- The Central Government,  the  State  Governments,  the  Food  Authority  and  other  agencies,  as  the  case  may  be,  while  implementing  the  provisions  of  this  Act  shall  be  guided by the following principles, namely:-

(1) (a) endeavour to achieve an appropriate level of  protection of human life and health and the  protection of consumers' interests, including  fair practices in all kinds of food trade with  reference  to  food  safety  standards  and  practices;

(b) carry  out  risk  management  which  shall  include taking into account the results of risk  assessment, and other factors which in the  opinion of the Food Authority are relevant to  the  matter  under  consideration  and  where  the  conditions  are  relevant,  in  order  to  achieve  the  general  objectives  of  regulations;

(c) where in any specific circumstances, on the  basis of assessment of available information,  the possibility of harmful effects on health is  identified but scientific uncertainty persists,  provisional  risk  management  measures  necessary  to  ensure  appropriate  level  of  health protection may be adopted, pending  further  scientific  information  for  a  more  comprehensive risk assessment;

Page 12

12

(d) the measures adopted on the basis of clause  (c)  shall  be  proportionate  and  no  more  restrictive  of  trade  than  is  required  to  achieve  appropriate  level  of  health  protection,  regard  being  had  to  technical  and  economic  feasibility  and  other  factors  regarded  as  reasonable  and  proper  in  the  matter under consideration;

(e) the  measures  adopted  shall  be  reviewed  within  a  reasonable  period  of  time,  depending on the nature of the risk to life or  health  being  identified  and  the  type  of  scientific  information  needed  to  clarify  the  scientific uncertainty and to conduct a more  comprehensive risk assessment;

(f) in cases where there are reasonable grounds  to suspect that a food may present a risk for  human  health,  then,  depending  on  the  nature, seriousness and extent of that risk,  the Food Authority and the Commissioner of  Food Safety shall take appropriate steps to  inform the general public of the nature of the  risk  to  health,  identifying  to  the  fullest  extent possible the food or type of food, the  risk that it may present, and the measures  which  are  taken  or  about  to  be  taken  to  prevent, reduce or eliminate that risk; and

(g) where any food which fails  to  comply with  food safety requirements is part of a batch,  lot or consignment of food of the same class  or description, it shall be presumed until the  contrary is proved, that all of the food in that  batch,  lot  or  consignment  fails  to  comply  with those requirements.

(2)  The Food Authority shall, while framing  regulations or specifying standards under this Act-

Page 13

13 (a)  take into account-

(i)  prevalent  practices  and  conditions  in  the  country including agricultural  practices and  handling,  storage and transport  conditions;  and

(ii) international  standards  and  practices,  where  international  standards  or  practices  exist  or  are  in  the  process  of  being  formulated,  

unless it is of opinion that taking into account  of such prevalent practices and conditions or  international  standards  or  practices  or  any  particular  part  thereof  would  not  be  an  effective  or  appropriate  means  for  securing  the  objectives  of  such  regulations  or  where  there is a scientific justification or where they  would result in a different level of protection  from the one determined as appropriate in the  country;

(b) determine food standards on the basis of risk  analysis except where it is of opinion that such  analysis  is  not  appropriate  to  the  circumstances or the nature of the case;

(c) undertake  risk  assessment  based  on  the  available  scientific  evidence  and  in  an  independent,  objective  and  transparent  manner;

(d) ensure  that  there  is  open  and  transparent  public  consultation,  directly  or  through  representative  bodies  including  all  levels  of  panchayats, during the preparation, evaluation  and revision of regulations, except where it is  of opinion that there is an urgency concerning  food safety or public health to make or amend  the regulations in which case such consultation  may  be  dispensed  with:  Provided  that  such

Page 14

14 regulations shall be in force for not more than  six months;

(e) ensure  protection  of  the  interests  of  consumers  and  shall  provide  a  basis  for  consumers  to  make  informed  choices  in  relation to the foods they consume;

(f) ensure prevention of-

(i) fraudulent,  deceptive  or  unfair  trade  practices  which may mislead or  harm the  consumer; and

(ii) unsafe  or  contaminated  or  sub-standard  food.

(3) The provisions of this Act shall not apply to  any farmer or fisherman or farming operations or  crops or livestock or aquaculture, and supplies used  or  produced  in  farming  or  products  of  crops  produced by a farmer at farm level or a fisherman  in his operations.”

11. The  general  principles  referred  to  above  are  to  be  

followed  in  the  administration  of  the  Act,  by  the  Central  

Government, the Food Authority, the State Governments and  

other  agencies,  while  implementing  the  regulations  and  

specifying  food  safety  standards  or  while  enforcing  or  

implementing  the  provisions  of  the  FSS  Act.   The  Food  

Authority,  while  discharging  its  functions,  shall  take  into  

account  the  prevailing  practices  and  conditions  in  the  

country,  including  agricultural  practices  and  handling,

Page 15

15 storage  and  transport  conditions,  including  international  

standards and practices.  The Food Authority shall be guided  

by  the  general  principles  of  food  safety,  such  as,  risk  

analysis,  risk  assessment,  risk  management,  risk  

communication,  transparent  public  consultation,  protection  

of consumers’ interest, etc.  Section 19 of the Act stipulates  

that  no  article  of  food  shall  contain  any  food  additive  or  

processing aid unless it is in accordance with the provisions  

of the Act and regulations made thereunder.  

12. Section 21 is of paramount importance and is extracted  

hereunder for an easy reference:

“21. Pesticides, veterinary drugs residues,  antibiotic  residues  and  micro-  biological  counts.-(1) No  article  of  food  shall  contain  insecticides or pesticides residues, veterinary drugs  residues,  antibiotic  residues,  solvent  residues,  pharmacological  active  substances  and  micro-  biological counts in excess of such tolerance limits  as may be specified by regulations.

(2) No  insecticide  shall  be  used  directly  on  article  of  food  except  fumigants  registered  and  approved under the Insecticides Act, 1968.  

   Explanation.- For the purposes of this section,-

(1) "pesticide  residue"  means  any  specified  substance in food resulting from the use of  a pesticide and includes any derivatives of  a pesticide, such as conversion products,

Page 16

16 metabolites,  reaction  products  and  impurities considered to be of toxicological  significance  and  also  includes  such  residues  coming  into  food  from  environment;

(2) "residues of veterinary drugs" include the  parent compounds or their metabolites or  both in  any edible portion of  any animal  product and include residues of associated  impurities  of  the  veterinary  drug  concerned.”

The above mentioned section provides that no article of  

food shall contain insecticides or pesticides, veterinary drugs  

residues,  antibiotic  residues,  solvent  residues,  

pharmacological  active  substances  and  micro-biological  

counts in excess of such tolerance limit as may be specified  

by the regulations.  It also provides that no insecticide shall  

be  used  directly  on  articles  of  food  except  fumigants  

registered and approved under the Insecticide Act, 1968.   

13. Section  24  of  the  FSS  Act  deals  with  restrictions  of  

advertisement  and prohibition as  to  unfair  trade practices  

and reads as follows:

“24.  Restrictions  of  advertisement  and  prohibition  as  to  unfair  trade  practices.-  (1) No  advertisement  shall  be  made  of  any  food  which is misleading or deceiving or contravenes the

Page 17

17 provisions  of  this  Act,  the  rules  and  regulations  made thereunder.

(2) No person shall engage himself in any unfair  trade practice for  purpose of  promoting the sale,  supply, use and consumption of articles of food or  adopt any unfair or deceptive practice including the  practice of making any statement, whether orally or  in writing or by visible representation which-

(a) falsely represents that the foods are of a  particular  standard,  quality,  quantity  or  grade- composition;

(b) makes  a  false  or  misleading  representation  concerning  the  need  for,  or the usefulness;

(c) gives to the public any guarantee of the  efficacy that is not based on an adequate  or scientific justification thereof:  

Provided that where a defence is raised to the  effect that such guarantee is based on adequate or  scientific justification, the burden of proof of such  defence  shall  lie  on  the  person  raising  such  defence.”

The above mentioned Section provides for restrictions on  

advertising of any food which misleads or contravenes the  

provisions of the FSS Act or the rules and regulations framed  

thereunder.   It also provides for prohibition as to any unfair  

trade practice for the purpose of promoting sale, supply, use  

and consumption of articles of food or adoption of any unfair  

or  deceptive  practice  to  mislead the  public  regarding  the

Page 18

18 standards,  quality,  quantity,  usefulness  or  giving  of  any  

guarantee of the efficacy that is not based on an adequate  

or scientific justification thereof.   

14. The Food Authority, in exercise of its powers conferred  

under clause (e) of sub-section (2) of Section 92 read with  

Section  16  of  the  FSS  Act,  made  the  Food  Safety  and  

Standards  (Food  Products  Standards  and  Food  Additives)  

Regulations,  2011.   The same is intended to regulate and  

monitor the manufacture, processing, distribution, sale and  

import of food so as to ensure the safe and wholesome food.  

The contents of soft drinks, in particular, are regulated by  

Regulation  2.10.6  of  the  Regulations  under  the  title  

“Carbonated Water”.   Food Authority is also conferred with  

the powers under clause (k) of sub-section (2) of Section 92  

read with  Section 23 of  FSS Act  and in  exercise of  those  

powers it framed the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging  

and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.  Section 23 read with the  

above mentioned regulations provides that no person shall  

manufacture, distribute, sale or expose for sale or despatch  

or deliver to any agent or broker for the purpose of sale, any  

packaged food products which are not marked and labelled

Page 19

19 in the manner, as may be specified.  It further provides that  

every food business operator shall ensure that the labelling  

and presentation of food does not mislead the consumers.  

Section  24,  which  we  have  already  referred  to  earlier,  

provides for restriction on advertisement of any food which  

misleads or contravenes the provisions of the FSS Act or the  

rules and regulations made thereunder.    Advertisements for  

carbonated  beverages  are  being  monitored  by  the  

Advertisement Standards Council of India (ASCI), as per the  

above mentioned regulations as well as the ASCI Code.

15. We  may  indicate  that  most  of  the  situations  have  

already  been  taken  care  of  by  the  above  mentioned  

provisions  of  the  FSS  Act  as  well  as  the  regulations  

mentioned  hereinbefore,  so  as  to  achieve  an  appropriate  

level of protection of human life and health and protection of  

consumers’ interest, including fair practices in all counts of  

food  trade  with  reference  to  food  safety  standards  and  

practices.

16. The manufacture and sale of carbonated soft drinks is  

regulated by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954

Page 20

20 (PFA Act), the PFA Rules and the Fruit Products Order, 1955  

issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.   Section  

3 of the PFA Act provides for  constitution of a Committee  

called the Central Committee for Food Standards (CCFS) and  

the same is already constituted which has very wide powers,  

to deal with all matTers relating to food items and to advise  

the Central Government and the State Governments on all  

matters relating to Food and to carry out the other functions  

assigned to it under the Act.  Section 23(1) of the PFA Act  

enjoins  a  duty  upon  the  Central  Government,  after  

consultation with the CCFS, to make rules which, inter alia,  

prescribes  standards  of  quality  for  340  food  items  in  

Appendix B and the labelling requirements for all  foods in  

Part  VII.   Under  Rule  44  in  Part  VIII  of  the  PFA  Rules,  

notifications have been issued from time to time regulating  

or prohibiting the sale of various ingredients/foods keeping  

in view the specific nature of those ingredients/foods based  

upon  scientific  study.   CCFS  and  its  sub-committees  on  

various  issues  are  not  only  seized  of  the  process  of  

implementing  the  standards  but  are  also  involved  in  

regularly reviewing the standards and various additives that

Page 21

21 are  used  in  the  manufacture/processing  of  any  article  of  

food.

17. The PFA Act, the PFA Rules and the FPO already control  

and check the contents, in particular chemical additives in  

food including soft drinks.   Section 2(v) of the Act defines  

“food”.  This definition also includes in itself any flavouring  

matter or condiments.   The Central Government has been  

given the power to notify  any other  articles which having  

regard to its use, nature, substance or quality to be declared  

as  food  for  the  purposes  of  this  Act.   The  Central  

Government has the power under Section 23 of the Act to  

take steps under Part VII  of the PFA Rules to prohibit and  

regulate the sale of certain foods.

18. Adequate  provisions  have  already  been  made  and  

Rules and Regulations are in force for prescribing labelling  

requirements as per Rule 32 to Rule 44 of PFA Rules, 1955.  

As per Rule 32 of PFA Rules, as amended vide notification  

GSR (E) dated 19.9.2008, declaration of all the ingredients of  

the food products and in particular soft drinks, is required to

Page 22

22 be made in the descending order and Nutritional Information  

is also required to be declared.    

Adequate provisions are also in place under PFA together  

with the Rules and Regulations made in that behalf to deal  

with  misleading  advertisements.   Reference  may  also  be  

made to Rule 43A of PFA Rules, 1955.

 19. Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the  

right to live with dignity.  The right to live with human dignity  

denies  the life  breach from the Directive Principles of  the  

State Policy, particularly clauses (e) and (f) of Article 39 read  

with Article 47 of the Constitution of India.  Article 47 reads  

as follows:

“47. Duty of the State to raise the level of  nutrition  and  the  standard  of  living  and  to  improve public health.-  The State shall  regard  the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard  of living of its people and the improvement of public  health  as  among  its  primary  duties  and,  in  particular, the State shall endeavour to bring about  prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal  purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which  are injurious to health.”

20. Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economics,  

Social and Cultural Rights, 1966 reads as follows:

Page 23

23 “12.- (1) The States Parties to the present Covenant  recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of  the  highest  attainable  standard  of  physical  and  mental health.

(2) The  steps  to  be  taken  by  the  States  Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full  realization  of  this  right  shall  include  those  necessary for:

(a)  The provision for  the reduction of  the  still birth-rate and of infant mortality and  for the healthy development of the child;

(b)The  improvement  of  all  aspects  of  environmental and industrial hygiene;

(c) The prevention, treatment and control of  epidemic,  endemic,  occupational  and  other diseases;

(d) The creation of conditions which would  assure to a medical service and medical  attention in the event of sickness.”

21. We  may  emphasize  that  any  food  article  which  is  

hazardous or injurious to public health is a potential danger  

to the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21  

of the Constitution of India.  A paramount duty is cast on the  

States and its authorities to achieve an appropriate level of  

protection to human life and health which is a fundamental  

right guaranteed to the citizens under Article 21 read with  

Article 47 of the Constitution of India.

Page 24

24 22. We are, therefore, of the view that the provisions of the  

FSS Act and PFA Act and the rules and regulations framed  

thereunder have to be interpreted and applied in the light of  

the Constitutional Principles, discussed above and endeavour  

has to be made to achieve an appropriate level of protection  

of human life and health.  Considerable responsibility is cast  

on the Authorities as well as the other officers functioning  

under  the  above  mentioned  Acts  to  achieve  the  desired  

results. Authorities are also obliged to maintain a system of  

control  and  other  activities  as  appropriate  to  the  

circumstances,  including  public  communication  on  food  

safety  and  risk,  food  safety  surveillance  and  other  

monitoring activities covering all stages of food business.   

23. Enjoyment of life and its attainment, including right to  

life  and  human  dignity  encompasses,  within  its  ambit  

availability  of  articles  of  food,  without  insecticides  or  

pesticides  residues,  veterinary  drugs  residues,  antibiotic  

residues, solvent residues, etc.  But the fact remains, many  

of  the  food articles  like rice,  vegetables,  meat,  fish,  milk,  

fruits  available  in  the  market  contain  insecticides  or  

pesticides  residues,  beyond  the  tolerable  limits,  causing

Page 25

25 serious health hazards.  We notice, fruit  based soft drinks  

available  in  various  fruit  stalls,  contain  such  pesticides  

residues in alarming proportion, but no attention is made to  

examine  its  contents.   Children  and  infants  are  uniquely  

susceptible  to  the  effects  of  pesticides  because  of  their  

physiological immaturity and greater exposure to soft drinks,  

fruit based or otherwise.

24. We,  therefore,  direct  the  Food  and  Safety  Standards  

Authority  of  India,  to  gear  up  their  resources  with  their  

counterparts  in  all  the  States  and  Union  Territories  and  

conduct periodical inspections and monitoring of major fruits  

and  vegetable  markets,  so  as  to  ascertain  whether  they  

conform to such standards set by the Act and the Rules.  

25. Penal  provisions  are  also  provided  in  the  Act.   It  is,  

therefore, of utmost importance that the provisions of the  

Acts are properly and effectively implemented so that the  

State can achieve an appropriate level  of  human life  and  

health,  safeguarding  the  right  to  life  guaranteed  under  

Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Page 26

26 26. The  Writ  Petition  is  disposed  of  with  the  above  

directions, leaving its respondents, as already indicated, to  

strictly follow the provisions of the FSS Act as well  as the  

Rules and Regulations framed thereunder.

...................................J. (K. S. Radhakrishnan)

...................................J.    (Dipak Misra)

New Delhi, October 22, 2013.