Panel on food ingredients norms not per law, says court
By IANSTuesday, February 8, 2011
NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Tuesday said the experts’ panel - to frame guidelines on what ingredients could be used in food products - was set up contrary to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
An apex court bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice A.K. Ganguly said: “Experts’ panel is prima facie violative of the Food Safety Act.”
The court observed that Section 13 (I) of the act categorically provides for an independent experts panel under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
It said the presence on the panel of people associated with the food industry and soft drinks chains was contrary to the statutory provisions.
The court observation came in the course of the hearing of a petition that has sought disclosure of ingredients being used in edible products and soft drinks and the harmful effects on the consumers.
