Polythene for chips, cookies banned in Himachal

The Himachal Pradesh High Court Monday imposed a blanket ban in the state from April 1 on use of polythene for packaging non-essential eatables especially potato chips, cookies and candies.

However, the ban will not cover essential items like milk and vegetable oils, which are usually supplied in non-biodegradable material.

A division bench of Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjay Karol said in an order that "generally, junk food items supplied to the masses come packed in non-biodegradable packages where gases under pressure are used to inflate the packages to keep the items fresh."

"Use of paper bags for packing food items such as wafers, chips etc. may not permit the use of packing gases under high pressure. Therefore, use of other options such as tetra packs, tin packing or biodegradable plastic of 20 micro metre thickness is proposed," observed the judges.

A high court committee has identified chips, wafers, biscuits, 'namkeen', candy, chewing gum, cookies, ice cream, chocolates, noodles, sugary cereals, cornflakes, pizzas, burgers, patties, french fries, carbonated drinks, fruit beverages, cakes, etc, as junk food and are sold in non-biodegradable packing.

"We are not in any manner issuing directions that such items are banned because that is not within the purview of the court but if we follow the law enacted by the state i.e. Himachal Pradesh Non-Biodegradable (Control) Act, 1995, the least we can do is to direct that these harmful items, which are classified as junk foods, if sold in the state in packed condition should be sold only in bio-degradable packing," the judges said.

They said selling such food stuff in biodegradable packing might make these items slightly more expensive. "But if the consumption of these items is reduced (owing to price rise) that will be better for the health of the children."

The court, however, said the list of food items identified for the ban is not final. "The petitioners can file response to the report and claim that other items should also be included in the list."

The court would next hear the matter March 15. - IANS