HC notice to food authority

Food safety law

The High Court on Thursday ordered issue of notice to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, New Delhi, in connection with a petition filed by the Karnataka Pradesh Hotel and Restaurants Association.

The association has questioned the regulations and some of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which were enforced from August 2012, replacing the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.

The High Court, in July 2013, issued an interim order staying the regulations and the provisions. Justice A.N. Venugopala Gowda ordered issue of notice to the authority as the Union government pointed out that the authority was a necessary respondent for adjudicating the plea. Meanwhile, the court extended the interim order until next date of hearing.

HC notice to food authority

The high court has ordered notice to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, New Delhi, in connection with a petition filed by Karnataka Pradesh Hotel and Restaurants Association.

Justice AN Venugopala Gowda also extended the stay till the next date of hearing with regard to certain guidelines under Food Safety and Standards Regulations, which are under challenge.

The petitioner has challenged regulations related to licencing, packaging, labelling and registration. It claims a hotelier cannot be expected to test around 150 insecticide residues in the hundreds of items prepared. It also states the Rs 12-lakh ceiling imposed on petty food manufacturers is unrealistic.