HC reserves order on ban on plastic packaging of food items

The Himachal Pradesh High Court today reserved its judgement on the state government's June 26 order banning plastic packaging of 25 junk food items.
The June 26 notification had banned the sale and stocking of junk food items like chips, cheese puffs, biscuits and noodles in plastic and non-biodegradable packets across the state with effect from July 1 last in compliance with the high court orders, but later the court in its interim orders on September 3 had stayed the notification till November 19.
However, 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 judgement."

The court passed the orders on petitions of the Sanyukt Vyapar Mandal of Shimla, the Indian Biscuits Manufacturers Association of Noida and the Hroli Block Industries Associations of Talhiwal in Una.
As per the high court judgement, eatables like potato chips, cookies, candy, chewing-gum, ice-cream, chocolates and noodles would not be allowed to be sold in polythene packets.
However, essential items like milk and vegetable oils are exempted from the ban.