The Supreme Court of India has reserved its order on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the formation of a specialised National Task Force to monitor and oversee enforcement activities of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
The petitioner raised concerns over the increasing instances of food adulteration and the presence of excessive pesticide residues in agricultural produce, arguing that the current enforcement framework is inadequate to effectively safeguard public health across the country.
During the proceedings, the Court acknowledged that issues related to food safety and public health are indeed serious and require attention. However, it clarified that the creation of a separate administrative or supervisory body falls within the domain of executive policy, and not within the scope of judicial intervention.
The bench further emphasised that FSSAI already operates under a well-defined legal structure provided by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This framework includes scientific panels, expert committees, and established regulatory mechanisms to address food safety concerns.
Additionally, the Court observed that the petition lacked substantial evidentiary material and appeared to be generalised in nature, which limited its scope for judicial directions.
The PIL had sought directions from the Court for the establishment of a court-monitored National Task Force, along with a time-bound nationwide audit and inspection drive, aimed at strengthening the enforcement and monitoring of food safety laws in India.
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