The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in response to a plea expressing concern about the excessive use of pesticides and chemical insecticides on food crops and food products. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, has also directed notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
This development comes as the court was hearing a petition filed by environmentalist and lawyer Akash Vashishtha. The petition highlighted that the widespread consumption of pesticide-laden foods is a major contributor to the increasing incidence of cancers and other serious illnesses nationwide. It specifically pointed out the use and overuse of pesticides, chemical insecticides, artificial colorings, coatings, and waxings on pulses, food grains, and other food items as significant concerns leading to a high number of deaths in the country.
During the hearing, senior advocate Anitha Shenoy, representing the petitioner, informed the court about the extensive data collected nationwide, revealing a significant number of deaths attributed to pesticide exposure. Shenoy also emphasized the failure of the FSSAI in controlling pesticide usage and ensuring food safety, highlighting a direct link between pesticides and the rising cancer cases in India.
