Delhi HC reacts on FSSAI Chandi ka warq notification, implementation stays

Delhi High Court has stayed its implementation on the notification issued by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Chandi Ka Warq (Silver Leaf). The petition was filed against the notification which was issued last year but the HC has stayed the implementation.

Last year, the food regulator has put a ban on the use of the material of animal origin to manufacture silver leaf, which is mostly used for garnishing sweets and other food articles. A High Court bench stated, “We are of the view that the issue raised by the petitioners deserves to be considered by the respondent, especially the aspects of labeling and marking the products of the petitioners as non-vegetarian, to address the concerns of the consumers.”

It, therefore, added that it was directed that the writ petition, as well as this order, urgently be placed before the secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, for consideration. A notice was also issued to the health ministry in this regard.

According to the original regulation [2.11.4, pertaining to chandi ka warq (silver leaf)] laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, “Food-grade shall be in the form of sheets, free from creases and folds and contain not less than 99.9 per cent of silver.”

Following the amendment, it read, “Food-grade shall be in the form of sheet of uniform thickness; free from creases and folds; have weight of silver foil up to 2.8g per sq m; have silver content of minimum 999/1,000 fineness; not be manufactured using any material of animal origin at any stage, and be in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 and the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling), Regulations, 2011.”