Centre asked to respond to plea on junk food victims’ fund

The Bombay high court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Central government asking it to file its response to a petition demanding the creation of a Consumer Protection Fund for consumers affected by the ill effects of junk food.

The high court asked the Union government to submit its reply till October 10.Division bench of Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice Swapana Joshi was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Sumedha Rao regarding ill effects of consuming junk food.

According to Ms Rao, junk food contains lead, which is hazardous.

The petitioner stated that she had taken the opinion of Dr Hemant Thakkar, a columnist and food expert.

He said in his report that effects of lead have been observed after several years. In the case of children, it can even cause damaged to nervous system, he said.

The petitioner further stated that victims require long-term medical treatment to recover from lead-related diseases, which drain them financially. Therefore, the petitioner prayed that it was necessary and in the interest of justice to constitute a Consumer Protection Fund for victims of lead poisoning caused, allegedly due to eating Maggi noodles.

While issuing the notice, the high court told the petitioner to remove Nestle’s name from the petition.