PIL Demands Crackdown on Adulteration and Hygiene Lapses in Public and Private Sectors
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, urging strict enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, in Punjab.
The petitioner, Advocate Kanwar Pahul Singh, has highlighted severe lapses in food safety regulations, citing multiple instances of food adulteration and contamination leading to serious health hazards.
Alarming Food Safety Violations
The PIL comes in the wake of several food poisoning incidents across the state, with the most shocking case being the death of a 10-year-old girl, Manvi, from Patiala. She passed away on March 24, 2024, after consuming a birthday cake ordered online through Zomato. Subsequent investigations revealed the presence of harmful artificial sweeteners and other unsafe ingredients in the cake. Despite public outrage and government assurances, the petitioner argues that food safety violations continue unabated.
Other disturbing cases cited in the petition include:
- March-April 2024: Reports from The Tribune and Hindustan Times exposed widespread food adulteration, with fungus-laden pastries and expired chocolates causing illnesses among children.
- September 11, 2024: More than a dozen children fell ill after consuming contaminated bakery food, as reported by ETV Bharat Punjabi.
- November 8, 2024: Times of India reported critical food safety lapses in government-run educational institutions and childcare centers in Dera Bassi, Mohali.
- February 1, 2025: The Tribune revealed that over 70 schoolchildren suffered from serious food-related illnesses within a year, prompting a state-wide health and water safety audit.
Legal Battle for Food Safety
The PIL references two landmark Supreme Court judgments—Centre for Public Interest Litigation vs. Union of India (2004) and Swami Achyutanand Tirth vs. Union of India (2012)—where the apex court directed authorities to enforce stringent food safety regulations.
The petitioner contends that Punjab has failed to implement these directives effectively, allowing dangerous food practices to persist.
Following the tragic Patiala incident, the petitioner sent multiple legal notices to the Punjab government in March and April 2024, demanding action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. However, no substantial measures were taken, prompting him to approach the High Court.
Key Demands in the PIL
The petition seeks immediate judicial intervention to:
- Enforce strict compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Conduct regular inspections of food businesses, including bakeries, dairies, and street vendors.
- Take action against unlicensed food vendors, highlighting a report stating that out of 5,000 street vendors in Mohali, only 700 are registered.
- Implement mandatory food safety checks in schools and childcare centers to prevent health crises among children.
- Establish a high-level inquiry committee to assess food safety enforcement and hold negligent officials accountable.
Call for Reforms in Public Institutions
The PIL also demands urgent improvements in food storage and hygiene in government schools, hospitals, and offices. Key concerns raised include:
- Outdated water quality testing and non-functional filtration systems.
- Lack of proper kitchen facilities and ventilation in mid-day meal schemes.
- Irregular medical check-ups for students consuming meals in government institutions.
To address these issues, the PIL seeks the formation of a high-level committee to conduct an inquiry into compliance with food safety norms in Punjab and to hold erring officials accountable.
Call for Government Accountability
The PIL underscores the Punjab government’s failure to safeguard public health despite repeated warnings and court directives. The petitioner has urged the High Court to take suo motu cognizance of the issue and direct immediate corrective measures.
With growing public concern over food safety, the case is expected to draw significant attention in the coming weeks, with food safety activists and legal experts closely watching for potential judicial intervention that could set a precedent for stricter regulations across India. 
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