Disclose all ingredients used in food items, manufacturers told

Every person has a right to know what they are consuming, says High Court

The use of non-vegetarian ingredients, even in a miniscule amount, in food articles would render them non-vegetarian, which would offend the religious and cultural sentiments of strict vegetarians, the Delhi High Court observed while ordering manufacturers to disclose the full and complete list all ingredients that goes into the making of any food article.

A Bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Jasmeet Singh ordered that food business operators, which manufacture food items, to disclose on the packaging all the ingredients not only by their code names but also by disclosing as to whether they originate from plant, or animal source, or whether they are manufactured in a laboratory, irrespective of their percentage in the food article.

“It should also be fairly disclosed as to what is the plant source, or animal source — as the case may be, in respect of all the ingredients in whatever measure they are used,” the Bench added.