Delhi HC Directs FSSAI Not to Cancel ITC Licence Over Aashirvaad Atta Claims
NEW DELHI — The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) not to cancel ITC Ltd’s licence for the time being over its alleged failure to comply with directions concerning product labelling on its Aashirvaad M.P Chakki Atta.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma granted interim protection to ITC while hearing the company's petition challenging advisories and notices issued by the FSSAI. The regulatory authority had directed the company to discontinue the use of the term "100%" on the packaging and advertisements for the atta product, warning that failure to do so could lead to the suspension of its food safety licence.
The court observed that the question of jurisdiction in the matter is yet to be determined. Noting upcoming court closures, Justice Sharma ruled that no adverse action regarding the cancellation of the licence should be taken until the next date of hearing.
"Since the issue regarding jurisdiction is to be decided and the courts will be closed, till the next date of hearing, no decision regarding cancellation of the license will be taken," the court stated. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 9.
During Tuesday's proceedings, counsel appearing for the FSSAI raised objections regarding the maintainability of ITC's petition before the Delhi High Court. The regulator's counsel argued that the latest improvement notice against the company had been issued in Kolkata.
Alongside the ITC matter, Justice Sharma addressed a related issue involving AWL Agri Business Ltd. The judge noted that the court will pass an order on August 31 regarding the maintainability of a separate plea filed by AWL Agri Business against the FSSAI.
AWL had approached the court after receiving notices from the food regulator over allegedly misleading label declarations on its Fortune Soya Health Refined Soyabean Oil, which included claims such as "100% Veg" and "Cholesterol Free - For Healthy Lifestyle".
