Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the state government to file an affidavit explaining what mechanism they have set up to check adulteration in fruits and vegetables in the state. The court also said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is responsible for checking the kind of food being served in the city.
A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N.W. Sambre was hearing a PIL filed after the death of 20 farmers in Yavatmal, while using hazardous pesticides for their crops.
The HC said adulteration and fruits preserved through hazardous pesticides is very serious.
Further, the PIL sought the state to take steps to ensure Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) rules are adhered to and safe food reaches common people for consumption.
In the last hearing, the court directed the state government to inform the court what action it has taken to curb the practice of using banned chemicals and overdose of pesticides in vegetables and fruits, which are harmful for public health.
Government pleader Poornima Kantharia informed the court that 215 FDA officers are working throughout the state to curb adulteration and 40 officers are deployed in Mumbai.
The court then asked Kantaria if there are any portable kits to check adulteration in the eatable items at ground level.
