SC Directs Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to Conduct Periodic Checks of Soft Drinks

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to monitor and conduct periodic checks of all carbonated soft drinks as the issue relates to citizens' fundamental right to life guaranteed under the Constitution.

A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and A K Sikri passed the direction while disposing of a PIL that had sought constitution of a separate panel to regulate soft drinks to protect citizens from their "deleterious effects".

"The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will conduct periodic checks of the carbonated drinks," the bench said, adding the matter relates to the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The apex court had on December 13, 2012, reserved its order on a PIL filed in 2004 for setting up a committee to evaluate the alleged harmful effects of soft drinks on human health and to properly label the beverages, detailing their ingredients.

Also Read: Under-18 Marriage? Not in Muslim Women's Dictionary
Also Read: Karnataka In Deep Slump, Conferred With Least Developed Status