HC issues contempt notice to FSSAI for not complying orders

The Delhi High Court has issued contempt notice to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for not complying with its orders to decide a health drink manufacturer's plea for NOC.
Justice V K Jain has sought the response of FSSAI on the contempt application moved by Trevo India Pvt Ltd and also directed the authority to decide the company's plea for 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) by December 5 and convey the decision immediately to Trevo.
Justice Jain expressed displeasure over FSSAI's non-compliance, saying the authority had neither challenged the high court's earlier orders, nor sought extension of time to decide Trevo's plea, nor complied with the court's directions.

"You did not challenge the high court order, you did not seek extension of time and you also did not comply with the high court's orders. Issue notice of contempt," he said.
The court had earlier ordered FSSAI to decide Trevo's plea for NOC by November 25.
The counsel appearing for FSSAI said the company's plea had been forwarded to the authority's scientific panel which will require more time to decide the matter.
Trevo, which makes health drinks, contended that its product is recognised and being used in various countries and as per FSSAI's guidelines, any such product needs to be sent to the authority's scientific panel for grant of NOC.

It claimed that its product was lying with customs and could not be released till it received the provisional NOC.