Supreme Court Issues Notice to Centre, FSSAI on Overuse of Pesticides on Crops

The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to multiple government ministries and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding the rampant use and overuse of pesticides and other chemical insecticides on food crops. This action follows a petition highlighting the health risks posed by these chemicals, including cancer and other severe ailments.

Key Highlights:

• Respondents: Notices were issued to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the FSSAI.
• Petitioner’s Claims: Environmentalist and lawyer Akash Vashishtha, the petitioner, argues that pesticide-laden foods are a leading cause of various cancers and other fatal diseases in India.
• Advocate’s Argument: Senior advocate Anitha Shenoy, representing the petitioner, emphasized the high number of deaths attributable to pesticide exposure and the failure of FSSAI to regulate and ensure food safety.

Concerns Raised in the Petition:

• Health Risks: The overuse of pesticides is linked to cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac arrests, reproductive defects, neurological, endocrine, and metabolic disorders.
• Food Contamination: Practices such as artificial coloring, coating, and waxing of pulses, grains, and other food items have contributed to food toxicity.
• Government Inaction: Despite repeated appeals, substantial measures to curb pesticide use have not been implemented.

Data and Statistics:

• Food Safety Violations: According to FSSAI data, 22.25% of food samples failed to meet safety standards in 2015-16, with subsequent years showing minimal improvement.
• Deaths from Pesticide Exposure: In 2020-21, 161 deaths were reported across three states due to pesticide exposure.
• Scientific Correlation: Medical research supports a direct link between pesticide exposure and serious health conditions, with residues detected in bodily fluids and tissues.

Government’s Response:

• Stringent Standards: The Union Health Ministry asserts that India maintains stringent Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides, adjusted based on risk assessments and tailored for different food commodities.
• Ongoing Revisions: The FSSAI is continuously revising MRLs based on the latest scientific data and international norms to enhance food safety standards.

Court’s Decision:

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the concerned ministries and FSSAI, granting the petitioner the opportunity to present their findings and advocate for stricter regulatory measures to protect public health from the dangers of pesticide overuse.

Implications:

This notice signifies the Court’s recognition of the serious public health concerns associated with pesticide use in agriculture. The responses from the ministries and FSSAI will be crucial in determining future regulatory actions to mitigate these risks and ensure safer food standards in India.

Source Link

 If you like this law news, share it with a friend!