Sejal Chaturvedi –
Advocate and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, filed PIL to include rating for health and environment impact on packed food and beverages.
This petition was filed in the Supreme Court, asking it to direct the government to develop criteria for ‘health star rating’ and effect assessment for food and beverages.
The petition requested that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) examine WHO recommendations on fat, salt, and sugar intake, as well as guidelines on ‘Health Impact Assessment’ and the ‘Health Star Rating System’ used in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, and prepare a detailed report within three months.
Further the petition said, “Direct the states to take apposite steps for compliance of the guidelines on ‘health star rating’, ‘health warning system’, ‘health impact assessment’ and ‘environment impact assessment.”
This came in while it was observed that the food safety regulatory body of India does not conduct assessment of the health and environment impact.
According to the petition, the harm to citizens is severe because the right to health protected under Article 21 is being flagrantly violated as a result of the Centre’s and FSSAI’s inaction.
A healthy diet is essential for preventing malnutrition, wasting, stunting, insufficient vitamins or minerals along with obesity.
This also includes risks of other food-related non-communicable diseases (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, malignancies) and infectious diseases like COVID-19.
According to the petition, the FSSAI neither performs “Health Impact Assessments” nor implements a “Health Star Rating System,” forcing citizens to consume foods high in calorie, fats, and sugars, as well as less fibre-rich fruits, juices, vegetables, and cereals.