The Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected the claims of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that there is a well-established system to monitor presence of pesticides in fruits, vegetables and other food items in the country. The court noted that on many occasions impermissible pesticides have been found in vegetables sold in Delhi and NCR.
A bench of Justices S K Kaul and Rajiv Shakdher also dubbed the “tall claims” of the FSSAI as “surprising” after perusing their affidavit, which informed the court that there were 68 state pesticide testing laboratories, besides regional and the referral central insecticides laboratory for monitoring food products in the country.
“We find these pleadings surprising because the material brought on record shows a picture which is far from what is painted in the affidavit. Impermissible pesticides have been found in the vegetables in the National Capital Territory (NCT),” said the bench.
The court was adjudicating the matter after taking suo motu notice of reports, stating impermissible pesticides were found in vegetables and fruits, especially in those sold in Delhi.
On the question of the presence of Endosulfan in food items, despite the pesticide being banned, the FSSAI submitted in court that though the ban was in place, the pesticide content already mixed with groundwater and soil could contaminate fruits and vegetables for many more years.
Another affidavit by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted that it was necessary to check the presence of pesticides before fruits and vegetables reached the market. Keeping a tab on the farmers would help check this, the report said.
The bench said: “The burden is sought to be passed on by observing that the usage of pesticides is required to be tackled at the farmer-level.”
“We must note that in pursuance to our last order, we have called for a Joint Report only to ensure that there is a coordinated approach rather than different departments having their say. We find absence of such a report,” said the court while holding that there must be a comprehensive policy to check the presence of pesticides in food items.
“We, therefore, direct that authorities concerned hold a joint meeting to draft a policy, to be placed before us,” said the bench.
A bench of Justices S K Kaul and Rajiv Shakdher also dubbed the “tall claims” of the FSSAI as “surprising” after perusing their affidavit, which informed the court that there were 68 state pesticide testing laboratories, besides regional and the referral central insecticides laboratory for monitoring food products in the country.
“We find these pleadings surprising because the material brought on record shows a picture which is far from what is painted in the affidavit. Impermissible pesticides have been found in the vegetables in the National Capital Territory (NCT),” said the bench.
The court was adjudicating the matter after taking suo motu notice of reports, stating impermissible pesticides were found in vegetables and fruits, especially in those sold in Delhi.
On the question of the presence of Endosulfan in food items, despite the pesticide being banned, the FSSAI submitted in court that though the ban was in place, the pesticide content already mixed with groundwater and soil could contaminate fruits and vegetables for many more years.
Another affidavit by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted that it was necessary to check the presence of pesticides before fruits and vegetables reached the market. Keeping a tab on the farmers would help check this, the report said.
The bench said: “The burden is sought to be passed on by observing that the usage of pesticides is required to be tackled at the farmer-level.”
“We must note that in pursuance to our last order, we have called for a Joint Report only to ensure that there is a coordinated approach rather than different departments having their say. We find absence of such a report,” said the court while holding that there must be a comprehensive policy to check the presence of pesticides in food items.
“We, therefore, direct that authorities concerned hold a joint meeting to draft a policy, to be placed before us,” said the bench.
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