Introduction:

The Delhi High Court, in a suo motu case initiated in 2010, expressed concern over minimal food sampling and testing conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in the national capital. Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Arora emphasized the need for increased supervision and testing of food products to ensure public safety.

Arguments:

During the hearing, the court questioned FSSAI’s counsel about the adequacy of food testing measures, stressing the importance of active surveillance and random sampling. The counsel explained that testing is primarily conducted by state food safety commissioners, prompting the court to inquire about specific guidelines and sampling rates prescribed by FSSAI. The court highlighted the low testing rate of 25 samples per month in Delhi and urged FSSAI to establish clear guidelines and ramp up sampling efforts to match the city’s food consumption levels.

Court’s Judgment:

The Delhi High Court directed the Commissioner of Food and Supplies to submit a personal affidavit detailing the extent of food product testing in Delhi, including the number of food inspectors, inspecting teams, and sampling budget. Additionally, the court ordered the officer to participate in the proceedings through virtual mode on the next hearing date, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to ensure food safety.