Supreme Court rejects PIL on standards of packaged foods (file photo)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking adoption of strict World Health Organization (WHO) standards for permissible limits of carcinogenic chemicals antimony and DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) in packaged drinking water and food packaging. The court commented strongly on this, calling it 'urbanized fear of the rich'.
In fact, the petition filed in the Supreme Court challenged the norms that allow certain quantities of chemicals like antimony and DEHP. These chemicals can leach out of plastic water bottles and food packaging. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant dismissed the petition, terming it as 'urbanised fear of the rich'.
What was the claim of the petitioner?
Let us tell you that the petitioner claimed that Indian standards are looser than those of WHO, which increases cancer, reproductive problems and other health risks. It was demanded that WHO guidelines should be implemented till FSSAI and BIS standards are revised and the public should be made aware of their danger.
Drinking water is not available in many places. During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant asked the petitioner to understand the reality of the country. He said that drinking water is not available in many places in the country. The petitioner should travel to those parts of India where even providing water is a challenge.
Citing the example of Mahatma Gandhi, the CJI said that Gandhiji had traveled to poor areas, the petitioner should also do the same so that he can understand the truth of India.
The bench termed this as an urban-centric approach and said that people in rural areas drink groundwater and nothing happens to them. The court did not consider the petition worthy of hearing, but allowed the petitioner to make a representation before the government officials.
It is noteworthy that this petition was filed in the Supreme Court citing Section 18 of the Food Security Act, 2006, which mandates keeping international standards in mind. Regarding this, experts say that the health risks are real, but the standards of developed nations cannot be blindly imitated in developing countries like India.