New Delhi|HL
The High Court of Delhi ordered AAP government of Delhi to soon appoint food safety officers, to keep tab on use of pesticides in vegetables and fruits sold across the state.
A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath asked the government to file an affidavit indicating what steps they have taken on appointment of food safety officers.
The court directed that procedure of appointing should be done in eight weeks.
Relocating the matter for August 10, the court asked the government to take necessary steps for appointment of food safety officers in terms of Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The court`s direction came after amicus curiae Saket Sikri told it that there is scarcity of food safety officers in Delhi for collecting samples, and the Delhi government had also accepted that in its affidavit filed in November last year.
A report submitted by the amicus curiae had earlier said that in a number of vegetables and edible items, pesticide residue was found to be beyond permissible limits.
A large quantity of vegetables and fruits sold in the capital contains dangerous pesticides.
