The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to come up with a plan for sampling and testing of all food products in the national capital. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said: “Since FSSAI is the apex body dealing with food safety, this court directs it to prepare a plan for sampling and testing of all food products in Delhi…”, and kept the matter for next hearing on May 8. The Court gave its order in a 2010 suo motu matter initiated by the High Court, following a news report on the use of certain pesticides for growing vegetables that potentially cause serious neurological problems, kidney damage, skin diseases, and cancer among other grievous diseases. The amici curiae appointed in the matter had submitted that no action has been taken by authorities on the issue yet, and several fruits and vegetables being sold in the market contain pesticides beyond the prescribed levels.
