Himachal court reserves judgment on polythene-packed food items

The Himachal Pradesh High Court Friday reserved its judgment on the state government notification banning 25 junk food items in plastic packaging.

A division bench comprising Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice V.K. Sharma directed that "the interim order of stay on the notification would continue till the pronouncement of judgment".

The June 26 notification banned junk food items like chips, biscuits and noodles in plastic and non-biodegradable packaging across the state for sale and stocking from July 1 in compliance with the high court orders.

The court passed the orders on the petitions of the Sanyukt Vyapar Mandal of Shimla, the Indian Biscuits Manufacturers Association of Noida and the Haroli Block Industries Associations of Talhiwal in Una.

Earlier, the high court Sep 3 had stayed the notification till Nov 19.

As per the court's judgment, eatables like potato chips, cookies, candy, chewing-gum, ice-cream, chocolates and noodles would not be available in polythene packets.

Essential items like milk and vegetable oils are, however, exempted from the ban.