-1-WPL/1688/2015IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAYORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVILJURISDICTIONWRIT PETITION (L) NO. 1688OF 201M/s Nestle India Limited )a Company incorporated nder )t!e pro"isions o# t!e Companies)$ct% 1&56 and !a"in' its)re'istered (##ice at M-5$% )Conna'!t Circs% Ne) *el!i - )110001 )+,,Petitioner,-erss1. .!e /ood 0a#ety and 0tandards )$t!ority o# India% !a"in' its)1ead (##ice at /*$ 2!a)an% 3otla )4oad% Ne) *el!i 5 110002 and)!a"in' its Western 4e'ion )o##ice at Minitry o# 1ealt! and)/amily Wel#are% &02% 1allmar6 )2siness Pla7a% (pp, 8rnana6)1ospital% 2andra 9:ast)%)Mm;ai 5 I2-8>I< o# 201< 9/ood 0a#ety 0tandards $t!ority o# India "s, -ital Ntraceticals Pri"ate Limited B (rs)10,.!e Petitioner% a#ter t!e $pe= Cort 'ranted stay to t!e order passed;yt!is Cort% applied#or prodct appro"al, 1o)e"er% certainclari#ications)ereso'!t;y4espondent Nos, 1 and 2% )!ic! clari#ications )ere 'i"en ;y t!e Petitioner)it!in t!e prescri;ed period o# >0 days,1o)e"er% t!erea#ter%PetitionerFsapplication )as not processed and it )as closed )it!ot 'i"in' reasons,CHRONOLOGYOFEVENTSINRESPECTOFPRESENT DISPUTE#11, 0ome time in t!e mont! o# Danary% 2015% /ood Inspector 2ara;an6i% AP% ;ecamesspicios% a#ter !esa) pac6et o# Ma''i Noodles on )!ic! it )as claimed t!at t!ere )asGNoaddedM08H, 0incet!e/oodInspector ;ecame sspicios a;ot t!e said claim% !e sent t!e pac6et to /ood ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:20 :::-12-WPL/1688/2015La;oratory "i7 0tate /ood La;oratory% 8ora6!pr in AP,.!e reslt o# t!e analysis s!o)ed t!at t!ere )as M08 in t!e said prodct )!ic! )as #ond in t!e said pac6et, 1e t!ere#ore in#ormed 4espondent Nos, 1 and 2 and t!e Petitioner,$t t!e instance o# t!e Petitioner% t!e said sample )as sent to 4e#erralLa;oratory at 3ol6ata )!ic!isaLa;oratory)!ic! a'ain tests t!e prodct i# t!ere is a dispte a;ot at!enticity o# t!e /ood La;oratory analysis,12, .!isprodct )!ic! )as sei7ed% )as a pac6et containin' Ma''i Noodles man#actred on 15/01/201 -ariants )ere tested,15, .!e /ood $nalyst 'a"e a report and 4espondent No,2 #ond t!at ot o# I2 samples )!ic! )ere tested% in >0 samplest!ere)asleadine=cesso#2,5ppm% t!o'!0, .!e /ood $t!ority is 'i"en po)er to 'i"e #inal reco'nitiontoparticlar La;oratories !a"in'accreditation #rom N$2L,>1, C!apter -III o# t!e $ct deals )it! ?ali#ication% appointment and po)ers o# t!e /ood $nalyst and also lays do)n t!e procedre o# ta6in' samples, 4les and 4e'lations #ramed nder t!e said C!apter 'i"e #rt!er ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:20 :::-20-WPL/1688/2015detailsa;ot t!eprocedreandprpose#or carryin'ot analysis o# #ood prodcts and t!e manner in )!ic! it !as to ;e done,>2, 0ection >0 o# t!e $ct 'i"es po)er to t!e Commissioner o# /ood0a#etyo# t!e0tateand/ood$t!oritiestota6e decisionsincaseo#emer'entsitationandt!eprocedre )!ic! is to ;e #ollo)ed ;e#ore passin' t!e order nder t!e said pro"ision,>>, Int!epresent case% accordin'tot!ePetitioner% t!e analysis o# #ood ;y /ood $nalyst )as not in accordance )it! t!e 4les and 4e'lations and% secondly% t!e tests )ere not carried ot in la;oratory )!ic! )as accredited;y N$2L and t!ere#ore t!e reslts declared on analysis made ;y t!e /ood $nalyst cannot ;e relied pon,W!ereas% on t!e ot!er !and% accordin' to 4espondent Nos, 1 to >% t!ese la;oratories !ad an at!ority to carry ot t!e analysis and t!ere#ore t!e /ood $t!ority cold rely on t!e analysis made ;y t!em,>58 o# 2010 alon')it! Writ Petition No,526 o# 2010 decided on 18/08/2010, It )as s;mittedt!atint!esaidmatteralsos!o)casenotices issed ;y t!e Competition Commission o# India )ere c!allen'ed and t!e *i"ision 2enc! a#ter relyin' on t!e @d'ment o# t!e $pe= Cort !eld t!at t!e Petitions )ere #iled prematrely,>I, (n t!e ot!er !and% Mr, I?;al C!a'la% t!e learned 0enior Consel appearin' on ;e!al# o# t!e Petitioner% a#ter in"itin' or attention to t!e imp'ned order% s;mitted t!at t!e /ood $t!ority 5 4espondent Nos, 1 and 2 !ad already directed t!e ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:20 :::-2I-WPL/1688/2015Petitioner not to man#actre% sale% distri;te Ma''i Noodles and!ad'i"enreasons)!yt!ey#elt t!at t!is;anorder s!old ;e passed,1e s;mitted t!at 4espondent Nos, 1B 2 t!ere#ore !ad #inally determined t!e isse )it!ot 'i"in' any opportnitytot!ePetitioner;yissin's!o)casenotice and% t!ere#ore% t!eimp'nedorder )asa;an/pro!i;ition order and t!e Petitioner )as entitled to c!allen'e t!e same on "arios 'ronds nder $rticle 226 o# t!e Constittion o# India )!ic! 'ronds )old not !a"e ;een a"aila;le i# appeal nder section,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,8-WPL/1688/2015cast on t!e Petitioner or t!e #ood man#actrer to man#actre t!e #ood )!ic! )as sa#e and )!olesome and an element o# trst t!ere#ore )as created on t!e ;asis o# assrances 'i"en ;y t!e man#actrer,1e s;mitted t!at i# t!e trst )as ;ro6en% t!e /ood $t!ority cold t!en act and imposet!e;anont!eprodct o# t!eman#actrer, 1e s;mitted t!at t!e Petitioner !ad made representation in its application #or prodct appro"al t!at t!e lead contained in its prodct% ;ot!% in t!e noodles and taste ma6er% )as less t!an 0,1 ppm, 1e s;mitted t!at t!e /ood $t!ority cold impose a ;an on t!e PetitionerFs prodct i# it )as #ond t!at t!e lead contained )as more t!an 0,1 ppmt!o'! t!e permissi;le limit )as 2,5 ppm, 1e s;mitted t!at t!e /ood $t!ority cold so order t!e ;an ;ecase t!e representation )!ic! )as made ;y t!e Petitioner in its application #or prodct appro"al)as incorrect and t!o'! t!e permissi;le limit may ;e 2,5 ppm and t!e lead contained )as less t!an 2,5 ppm% yet% sc! a ;an order cold ;e imposed and @sti#ied,1e in"ited or attention to t!ea"erments made in t!e replyo# 4espondentNo,1 to t!at e##ect in para1>, It )old ;e #rit#l to reprodce t!e said para'rap! )!erein it is mentioned as nderE-G1>, .!e said prodct )it! its & appro"ed "ariantsareadmittedlyco"erednder 0ection 22 o# t!e /00 $ct and )!ic!% ;ein' non-standardised% !a"etonder'oris6andsa#ety assessment #rom t!e /ood $t!ority t!ro'! t!e ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:21 :::->&-WPL/1688/2015processo# prodct appro"al, .!epetitionerFs company !ad s;mitted t!e composition o# t!e FNoodle Ca6eF alon' )it! t!e composition o# F.astema6erF #or eac! "ariant as part o# t!e Prodct $ppro"al applications, .!e pac6a'e contains t!e FNoodle Ca6eF and t!e F.astema6erF isplaced insidet!e main pac6a'eas asealed 0ac!et%)!ic!isremo"a;leas an independent pac6 once t!e main pac6a'e is opened, $s sc!% ;ot!arelia;leto;etestedseparately, .!e Certi#icate o#$nalysis 9Co$)#rnis!ed )it!t!e application#orMa''i 2-MinteNoodlesMasala "ariant s!o)ed 0,015> ppm lead as a'ainst t!e ma=immpermissi;lelimit o# 2,5ppm, .!e petitioner is tryin' to create con#sion ;y ma6in' re#erence to di##erent standards prescri;ed #or FLeadF nder t!e /00 re'lations% #lly6no)in't!att!e0tandardsprescri;edin t!e /00 4e'lations cannot ;e applied to a 0ection 22 Prodct on a selecti"e ;asis,(nce it is 0ection 22 Prodct% t!e 0a#ety assessment is nderta6en on t!e ;asis o# a"erments made in t!e application,.!epetitioner Company cannot 'o ;ac6 on its o)n commitments in t!e application )!erein it anne=ed t!e Code= 0tandards #or Instant Noodles 9)!erein t!e ma=imm permissi;le limits #or lead is #ar less t!ant!elimit prescri;ednder t!e/00$ct% 2006 4les and 4e'lations),:"en% i# assmed% ;t not admitted% t!at t!e certi#icate o# analysis )as #or t!e entire prodct% t!en t!e #inal prodct s!old !a"e lead content o# 0,015> ppm or as promised in P$ $pplications, .!e contention o# t!e petitioner t!at t!e prodct s!old ;e tested in t!e #orm as it is #inally ready #or consmption is not tena;le;ecaset!e#inal consmption ready prodct )old inclde )ater t!erein )!ic! is not ;ein' spplied ;y t!e petitioner company as part o# t!e prodct,H ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:21 :::- as nderE-1 O1&6>P 2 $LL :,4, 662 $I4 1&I0 0C 150::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:21 :::-56-WPL/1688/2015G1>, .!e di"idin' line ;et)een an administrati"e po)er and a ?asi-@dicial po)er is?itet!inandis;ein''radally o;literated, /or determinin' )!et!er a po)er is an administrati"e po)er or a ?asi-@dicial po)er one !as to loo6 to t!e natre o# t!e po)er con#erred% t!e person or persons on )!om it is con#erred% t!e #rame)or6 o# t!e la) con#errin' t!at po)er% t!e conse?ences ensin' #rom t!e e=ercise o# t!at po)er and t!e manner in )!ic! t!at po)er is e=pectedto;ee=ercised, Ina )el#are0tateli6eorsit isine"ita;let!at t!e or'an o# t!e 0tate nder or Constittion is re'latedandcontrolled;yt!erleo# la), In a )el#are 0tate li6e ors it is ine"ita;le t!at t!e @risdiction o# t!e administrati"e ;odies is increasin' at a rapid rate, .!e concept o# rle o# la) )old lose its "alidity i# t!e instrmentalities o# t!e 0tate are not c!ar'ed )it! t!e dty o# disc!ar'in' t!eir #nctions in a #air and @st manner,.!e re?irement o# actin' @dicially inessenceisnot!in';tare?irementto act @stly and#airlyandnot ar;itrarily or capriciosly, .!e procedres )!ic! are considered in!erent in t!e e=ercise o# a @dicial po)er are merely t!ose )!ic! #acilitate i# not ensre a @st and #air decision, Inrecent years t!e concept o# ?asi-@dicialpo)er !as ;een nder'oin' a radical c!an'e,W!at )as consideredas an administrati"e po)er some years ;ac6 is no) ;ein' considered as a ?asi-@dicial po)er,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,H .!e $pe= Cort !as% t!ere#ore% !eld t!at e"en i# t!e order is ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:21 :::-5I-WPL/1688/2015passed ;y t!e administrati"e at!ority and particlarly )!en it entails ad"erse ci"il conse?ences t!e person a'ainst )!om sc! an order is passed s!old ;e 'i"en an opportnity to e=plain and s!old ;e !eard, .!is principle !as ;een ennciated in s;se?ent @d'ments ;y t!e $pe= Cort, It is )ell settled t!at e"en ;e#ore passin' t!e administrati"e order )!ic! may lead to ad"erse ci"il conse?ences% party )!o is 'oin' to ;e a##ected s!old ;e !eard ;e#ore passin' sc! order,60, In t!e recent @d'ment in M2s Dhara"pal Sat)apal Ltd.vs. Dep!t) Co""issioner of Central E.'ise 3a!hati 4 Ors.1% t!e $pe= Cort a#ter ta6in' into consideration t!e e"oltion o# t!e said principle in :n'lis! Common La) and its Indian ori'inas e=plainedinMo!inder 0in'!8ill "s, .!eC!ie# :lectionCommissioner% Ne)*el!i O91&I8)10CC-WPL/1688/2015C!apter-III o# t!e $ct )!ic! deals )it! 'eneral principles o# #ood sa#ety and s;-section 91) o# section 18 enmerates t!e 'idin' principles )!ic! are to ;e #ollo)ed )!ile implementin' t!e pro"isions o# t!e $ct, 0;-section 92) o# section 18 lays do)n 'idin' principles )!ic! are to ;e 6ept in mind ;y t!e /ood $t!ority )!ile #ramin' re'lations and speci#yin' standards nder t!e $ct,We #ail to nderstand as to !o) t!ese 'idin' principles can ;e said to 'i"e po)er to t!e /ood $t!ority or Commissioner o# /ood 0a#ety in passin' t!e imp'ned order at :=!i;it-$, .!is section also cannot;esaidto;easorceo# po)ersinceitonlylays do)n t!e 'idelines, 0ection 18 o# t!e $ct reads as nderE-G18. G)0),'; 9,/0:/9;)- (* @) +*;;*=)5 /0 '56/0/-(,'(/*0*+ A:(,- .!eCentral 8o"ernment% t!e 0tate 8o"ernments% t!e /ood $t!ority and ot!er a'encies% as t!e case may ;e% )!ile implementin' t!e pro"isions o# t!is $ct s!all ;e 'ided ;y t!e #ollo)in' principles% namelyE--91) 9a) endea"or to ac!ie"e an appropriate le"el o# protection o# !man li#e and !ealt! and t!e protection o# consmersF interests% incldin' #air practices in all 6inds o# #ood trade )it! re#erence to #ood sa#ety standards and practicesL9;) carryot ris6mana'ement )!ic!s!all inclde ta6in'intoaccont t!eresltso# ris6assessment% andot!er#actors)!ic!int!eopiniono# t!e/ood $t!ority are rele"ant to t!e matter nder consideration and )!ere t!e conditions are rele"ant% in order to ac!ie"e t!e 'eneral o;@ecti"es o# ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:22 :::-6 and < !a"e not ar'ed t!at t!e t!e order !as ;een passed nder section 22,:"en ot!er)ise% #rom t!e a#oresaid pro"isions% it can ;e seen t!at t!is order 9:=!i;it-$) cold not !a"e ;een passednder section22as can"assed;y Mr, Me!mood Prac!a% t!e learned Consel appearin' on ;e!al# o# 4espondent No,2,I2, .!e ot!er pro"isions )!ic! are mentioned in t!e imp'ned order at :=!i;it-$ are sections 26 and 28 o# t!e $ct )!ic! are #ond in C!apter -I )!ic! deals )it! specialresponsi;ilities as to #ood sa#ety, 0ection 26 and 28 o# t!e ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:22 :::-68-WPL/1688/2015$ct read as nderE-G26. R)-9*0-/@/;/(/)- *+ (2) +**5 @4-/0)-- *9),'(*,.- 91) :"ery #ood ;siness operator s!all ensre t!at t!e articles o# #ood satis#y t!e re?irements o# t!is $ct and t!e rles and re'lations made t!erender at all sta'es o# prodction% processin'% import% distri;tion and sale )it!in t!e ;sinesses nder !is control,92)No#ood;sinessoperators!all !imsel#or;yany person on !is ;e!al# man#actre% store% sell or distri;te any article o# #ood--9i) )!ic! is nsa#eL or9ii) )!ic! is mis;randed or s;-standard or contains e=traneos matterL or9iii) #or )!ic! a licence is re?ired% e=cept in accordance )it! t!e conditions o# t!e licenceL or9i") )!ic! is #or t!e time ;ein' pro!i;ited ;y t!e /ood $t!ority or t!eCentral 8o"ernment or t!e0tate 8o"ernment in t!e interest o# p;lic !ealt!L or9") in contra"ention o# any ot!er pro"ision o# t!is $ct or o# any rle or re'lation made t!erender,9>) No #ood ;siness operator s!all employ any person )!o is s##erin' #rom in#ectios% conta'ios or loat!some disease,9) .!e #ood ;siness operator s!all in#orm t!e competent at!oritieso# t!eactionta6entopre"ent ris6s to t!e consmer and s!all not pre"ent or discora'e any person #rom co-operatin'% in accordance )it! t!is $ct% )it! t!e competent at!orities% )!ere t!is may pre"ent% redce or eliminate a ris6 arisin' #rom a #ood,9, 0;-section 92) o# section 26 speci#ies some o# t!e dties o# #ood;siness operator "i7 not toman#actre% store% sell or distri;te nsa#e #ood or #ood )!ic! is mis;randed or s;standard or #or )!ic! a license is re?ired% e=cept in accordance )it! t!e conditions o# t!e license or #ood)!ic!is #or t!etime;ein'pro!i;ited;yt!e/ood ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:22 :::-I1-WPL/1688/2015$t!ority etc, 0;-section 9>) o# section 26 mentions t!at t!e #ood ;siness operator s!old not employ any person )!o is s##erin' #romin#ectios% conta'iosorloat!somedisease, 0;-section95) o# section26on)!ic!relianceisplaced clari#iest!at )!enany#ood)!ic!isnsa#eispart o# a ;atc!% lot or consi'nment o# #ood t!en it !as to ;e presmed t!at all #ood in t!at ;atc!% lot or consi'nment is also nsa#e, .!is pro"ision also% in or "ie)% only casts a responsi;ility on t!e #ood ;siness operator to maintain t!e #ood sa#ety standards, 0;-section 95) o# section 26 on )!ic! reliance )as placed only clari#ies t!atany #ood% )!ic! is a part o# t!e ;atc!% lot or consi'nment% i# #ond to ;e nsa#e t!en it )ill !a"e to ;e presmed t!at t!e entire ;atc!% lot or consi'nment o# t!e #ood is nsa#e, .!e pro"iso also clari#ies t!at e"eni# t!e#oodis #ondto;eincon#ormity )it! speci#ic pro"isions applica;le to t!at #ood% t!e /ood $t!ority can still impose restrictions% i# accordin' to t!e /ood $t!ority%despitecon#ormityt!e #ood is nsa#e, .!esaid pro"ision% at t!e most% clari#ies t!at t!e /ood $t!ority% i# it #inds t!at a particlar #ood pac6et #rom a ;atc! is #ond to ;e nsa#e t!e entire ;atc! can ;e recalled and t!at is essentially a part o# t!e responsi;ility imposed on t!e #ood ;siness operator,I0 o# t!e $ct reads as nderE-G!0. C*66/--/*0), *+ F**5 S'+)(B *+ (2) S('(),-91) .!e0tate8o"ernment s!all appoint t!e Commissioner o# /ood 0a#ety #or t!e 0tate #or e##icient implementation o# #ood sa#ety and standards and ot!er re?irements laid do)n nder t!is $ct and t!e rles and re'lations made t!erender,92) .!e Commissioner o# /ood 0a#ety s!all per#orm all or any o# t!e #ollo)in' #nctions% namelyE--9a) pro!i;it int!einterest o# p;lic !ealt!% t!e ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:22 :::-I0 as a sorce o# po)er #or passin' t!e imp'ned order at :=!i;it-$, W!ereas% accordin' to Mr, I?;alC!a'la% t!e learned 0enior Consel appearin' on ;e!al# o# t!e Petitioner% ;ot! t!e orders "i7 (rder at :=!i;it-$ and t!e (rder at :=!i;it-2 !ad ;eenpassednder section>!". E6),1)0:B 9,*2/@/(/*0 0*(/:)- '05 *,5),-.?91) I# t!e *esi'nated (##icer is satis#ied t!at t!e!ealt!ris6conditione=ists)it!respect toany #ood;siness% !emay%a#teranotice ser"edont!e #ood ;siness operator 9in t!is $ct re#erred to as an Nemer'ency pro!i;ition noticeN)% apply to t!e Commissioner o# /ood 0a#ety #or imposin' t!e pro!i;ition,92) I# t!e Commissioner o# /ood 0a#ety is satis#ied% on t!e application o# sc! an o##icer% t!at t!e !ealt! ris6 ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:22 :::-I6-WPL/1688/2015condition e=ists )it! respect to any #ood ;siness% !e s!all% ;y an order% impose t!e pro!i;ition,9>) .!e *esi'nated (##icer s!all not apply #or an emer'ency pro!i;ition ordernless% at least one day ;e#oret!e dateo# t!eapplication% !e!as ser"ed notice on t!e #ood ;siness operator o# t!e ;siness o# !is intention to apply #or t!e order,90 o# t!e $ct and4espondent Nos, 1and2!a"epassedt!eimp'ned order at :=!i;it-$ eit!er nder section >0 or nder section >< o# t!e $ct, It appears t!at 4espondent Nos, 1 and 2 !a"e ta6en t!e a#oresaid stand to @sti#y t!eir action o# not 'i"in' s!o) case notice and !earin' ;e#ore passin' t!e imp'ned orderat:=!i;it-$,0;-section91)o#section>< mentions t!at ;e#ore passin' any order nder section >0 e"en t!o'! it does not in terms mentions t!at principles o# natral @stice !a"e to ;e #ollo)ed% it is implied t!at sc! a corse !as to ;e normally #ollo)ed,.!e $pe= Cort in C.(. 3a!ta" vs. Union of 6ndia and Others1 )!ile decidin' t!e isse as to )!et!er in t!e a;sence o# speci#ic re?irement o# #ollo)in' t!e principles o# natral @stice in any section% )!et!er it can ;e implied t!at sc! a !earin' !as to ;e 'i"en !as o;ser"ed in paras 28 and >0as nderE-G28, It mst% !o)e"er% ;e ;orne in mindt!at corts !a"e'enerallyread into t!e pro"isions o# t!e rele"ant sections a re?irement o# 'i"in' a reasona;leopportnityo# ;ein'!eard ;e#oreanorder ismade)!ic!)old !a"e ad"erse ci"il conse?ences #or t!e parties a##ected, .!is )old ;e particlarly so in a case )!ere t!e "alidity o# t!e section )old ;e open to a serios c!allen'e #or )ant o# sc! an opportnity,HG>0,,,,,,,,,, .!e o;ser"ance o# principles o# natral @stice is t!e pra'matic re?irement o# #air playinaction, In or "ie)% t!ere#ore% a re?irement o# an opportnity to s!o) case ;ein' 'i"en ;e#ore an order #or prc!ase ;y t!e Central 8o"ernment is made ;y an appropriate at!ority nder section 26&-A* mst ;e read into t!e pro"isions o# C!apter JJ-C,.!ere is not!in' in t!e 1 91&&>) 1 0CC I8::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:22 :::-I&-WPL/1688/2015lan'a'e o# section 26&-A* or any ot!er pro"ision in t!e said C!apter )!ic! )old ne'ate sc! an opportnity ;ein' 'i"en, Moreo"er% i# sc! a re?irement )ere not read into t!e pro"isions o# t!e said C!apter% t!ey )old ;e seriosly open to c!allen'e on t!e 'rond o# "iolations o# t!e pro"isions o# $rticle 1< on t!e 'rond o# non-compliance )it! principles o# natral @stice, .!e pro"ision t!at )!en anorder #or prc!aseis madender section 26&-A* 5 reasons mst ;e recorded in )ritin' is no s;stitte #or a pro"ision re?irin' reasona;le opportnity o# ;ein' !eard ;e#ore sc! an order is made,H In t!e said case% nder section 26&-A* o# t!e Income-ta= $ct no re#erence )as made to principles o# natral @stice ;ein' #ollo)ed and t!e $pe= Cort !as !eld t!at it )as implied t!at sc! a !earin' s!old ;e 'i"en,80, 0imilarly% in 3oda5at &an Masala &rod!'ts 6.&. Ltd vs.Union of 6ndia and Others1% it !as ;een !eld t!at !earin' )ill !a"eto;e'i"en;e#oret!eimp'nedorderispassed, In paras I5 and I6 o# t!e said @d'ment t!e $pe= Cort !as o;ser"ed as nderE-GI5, In0tateo#T.N. v. %. Sa#ana)aga" O91&&8) 1 0CC >18 E 1&&8 0CC 9LB0) 260P 9-ide para 1I) t!is Cort a#ter re#errin' to 1 9200-WPL/1688/2015appearin'on;e!al# o# 4espondent No,1andMr, *aris 3!am;atta% t!e learned 0enior Consel appearin' on ;e!al# o# 4espondent Nos, > and < !a"e relied on t!e @d'ment o# t!is Cortin Dhari5al 6nd!stries Ltd and another vs. State of Maharashtra and others+. *i"ision 2enc!in t!e #acts o# t!e said case !as !eld t!at /ood 0a#ety Commissioner% Ma!aras!tra 0tate )!ile e=ercisin' !is po)er nder section >092)9a)% is t!s a dele'ate o# Parliament and% t!ere#ore% not re?ired to #ollo) t!e principles o# natral @stice,In t!e said case% t!e Petitioner !ad c!allen'ed t!e "alidity o# t!e pro"isionso# t)odi##erent re'lationsnder t!e/00$ct% 2006 as )ell as t!e stattory order passed ;y t!e Commissioner o# /ood 0a#ety nder section >092)9a) o# /00 $ct% 2006, Int!esaidcaset!e0tateo#Ma!aras!tra!ad ;annedspplyanddistri;tiono# panmasalacontainin' to;acco6no)nas 't6aandpanmasalanot containin' to;acco,.!e prodct as a )!ole class ;y itsel# t!ere#ore )as completely ;anned ;y relyin' on section >092)9a) o# t!e $ct, *i"ision 2enc! in t!ese circmstances !eld t!at /ood 0a#ety Commissioner )as actin' as a dele'ate o# t!e Parliament, In or "ie) ratio o# t!e said @dment )old not apply to t!e #acts o# t!e present case% #irstly ;ecase in t!e present case onlyt!ePetitionerFsprodct "i7Ma''i Noodlesandits& "ariants !a"e ;een ;anned, 0econdly% in t!e present case% 4espondent Nos, 2 and > are t!e at!orities nder t!e $ct and t!ey cannot ;e said to ;e dele'ate o# t!e Parliament and 1 201>91) M!,L,D, , We mst note !ere t!at a sitation may arise in a 'i"en ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:22 :::-86-WPL/1688/2015case)!eret!e/ood$t!orityor Commissioner o# /ood 0a#ety)old;ecompelledtopass immediateorder o# pro!i;itionint!einteresto#p;lic!ealt!toman#actre% saleo# #oodetc andsimilar order can;epassednder section>0 years and no sc! contamination )as #ond in t!e past,9ii) .!ere)asnoris6analysismade;yt!e at!orities to determine t!e e=tent o# dama'e )!ic! )old ;e cased on t!e consmption o# #oodas)asdoneinDhari5al 6nd!striesLtd and another vs. State of Maharashtra and others+.9iii) .!ereportsrecei"ed#romot!er 0tates 1 201>91) M!,L,D, 0 or section>< o# t!e $ct and% in any case% t!e imp'ned orderscoldnot !a"e;eenpassednder sections1095)% 1691)% 1695)% 18% 22% 26% 28 and 2& o# t!e $ct, I--4) N*. (VII)t!ere#ore is '0-=),)5 '::*,5/01;B.FINDINGS ON ISSUE NOS. (VIII) (* (-WPL/1688/201588, Mr, 3!am;atta% t!elearned0eniorConsel appearin' on ;e!al# o# 4espondent Nos, > and 9p) and )old ;e renderedn'atory, 1es;mittedt!at sectionclearly pro"idedt!at /ood$nalyst !adtoanalyseall sampleso# #ood in a /ood La;oratory )!ic! )as accredited ;y N$2L and reco'ni7edandnoti#ied;yt!e/ood$t!oritynder ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:23 :::-&and and < and t!elearned $dditional 0olicitor 8eneral #or 4espondent No,1, .!is Cort% !o)e"er% can see )!et!er t!e samples !a"e ;een properly analysedin terms o# t!emandatory pro"isions o# t!e $ctor not and% secondly% 1 92011) 8 0CC 2I26::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:23 :::-&5-WPL/1688/2015)!et!er any reliance can ;e placed eit!er on reports o;tained ;y t!e 4espondents or e"en #or t!at matter on t!e reports o;tained ;y t!e Petitioner, &>, It )ill ;e rele"ant to ta6e into consideration t!e pro"isions o# section >9p) )!ic! de#ines t!e G#ood la;oratoryH and section )!ic! 'i"es po)er to t!e/ood $t!orityto 'i"e reco'nition to la;oratory and noti#y it,0ection >9p) and o# t!e $ct reads as nderE-G>9p)G#oodla;oratoryHmeansany#oodla;oratoryor institte esta;lis!ed ;y t!e Central or a 0tate 8o"ernment or anyot!er a'encyandaccredited;y National $ccreditation 2oard #or .estin' and Cali;ration La;oratories or any e?i"alent accreditation a'encyandreco'nised;yt!e/ood$t!oritynder section ,HG,R):*10/(/*0 '05 '::,)5/('(/*0 *+ ;'@*,'(*,/)-& ,)-)',:2 /0-(/(4(/*0- '05,)+),,'; +**5;'@*,'(*,B.?91).!e/ood$t!oritymaynoti#y #oodla;oratoriesandresearc!instittionsaccredited ;y National $ccreditation 2oard #or .estin' and Cali;ration La;oratories or any ot!er accreditation a'ency#or t!eprposes o# carryin'ot analysis o# samples ;y t!e /ood $nalysts nder t!is $ct,92).!e/ood$t!oritys!all% esta;lis!orreco'nise;y noti#ication% one or more re#erral #ood la;oratory or la;oratories to carry ot t!e #nctions entrsted to t!e re#erral #oodla;oratory;yt!is $ct or anyrles and re'lations made t!erender,9>) .!e /ood $t!ority may #rame re'lations speci#yin'--::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:23 :::-&6-WPL/1688/20159a) t!e#nctionso# #oodla;oratoryandre#erral #ood la;oratory and t!e local area or areas )it!in )!ic! sc! #nctions may ;e carried otL9;) t!e procedre #or s;mission to t!e said la;oratory o# samples o# articles o# #ood #or analysis or tests% t!e #orms o# t!e la;oratoryFs reports t!ereon and t!e #ees paya;le in respect o# sc! reportsL and9c) sc! ot!er matters as may ;e necessary or e=pedient to ena;le t!e said la;oratory to carry ot its #nctions e##ecti"ely,Apon con@oint readin' o# ;ot! t!ese sections ?oted !ereina;o"e% it is clear t!at nder section>9p)% G#ood la;oratoryH is a la;oratory )!ic! is eit!er 0tate or Central la;oratory or any ot!er allied la;oratory)!ic! is accredited and reco'ni7ed ;y N$2L and ;y t!e /ood $t!ority nder section o# t!e $ct,.!e la;oratory% t!ere#ore% !as to pass t)in test ;e#ore it can ;e said to ;e a reco'ni7ed la;oratory "i7 (/) it !as to ;e accredited ;y N$2L and o"er and a;o"e t!at(//)it !as also to ;e reco'ni7ed ;y t!e /ood $t!ority nder section o# t!e $ct, 0;-section 91) o# section ma6es it a;ndantly clear t!at only in t!at la;oratory )!ic! is reco'ni7ed ;y t!e /ood $t!ority ;y Noti#ication% #ood can ;esent #or analysis;yt!e/ood$nalyst, Aponcon@oint readin' o# t!e said t)o pro"isions% it is clear t!at t!e s;mission made ;y Mr, 3!am;ata% t!e learned 0enior Consel #or 4espondent Nos, > and < is )it!ot any s;stance, 0ection91)mandatest!att!e/ood$nalyst ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:23 :::-&I-WPL/1688/2015!as toanalyse t!e #ood in a la;oratory accredited;y N$2L and also reco'ni7ed ;y t!e /ood $t!ority and noti#ied ;y it, It is apparent t!at t!ere#ore i# t!ere is non-compliance o# t!e said pro"isions and i# t!e #ood is tested in a la;oratory )!ic! doesnot #all )it!int!ede#initiono# section>9p) andnot reco'ni7ed ;y t!e /ood $t!ority% t!e analysis made in sc! la;oratory cannot ;e relied pon, .!e $pe= Cort in &epsi'o6ndiaHoldings&rivateLi"itedvs. ,ood6nspe'torand $nother+!as o;ser"ed t!at t!e pro"isions are mandatory,.!e $pe= Cort in t!is case !eld t!at pro"isions nder section 2>91-$)9ee) o# t!e Pre"ention o# /ood $dlteration $ct% 1&5< #or testin' t!e #ood samples/adlteration are mandatory and not directory, .!o'! t!e said o;ser"ation is made in respect o# pro"isions o# t!e Pre"ention o# /ood $dlteration $ct% 1&5< 9)!ic! !as no) ;een repealed ;y /00 $ct% 2006)% e"en nder t!e ne) $ct% t!epro"isions o# section91) )ill !a"eto;e!eld mandatory and not directory,.!is is more so )!en 0ection 91) is read )it! t!e de#inition o# t!e )ords G#ood la;oratoryH in 0ection >9p) o# t!e /00 $ct% 2006,.!e $pe= Cort in Pepsico India 1oldin' Pri"ate Limited 9spra) !as o;ser"ed in para -*ir 9:n#,)//00$I/2011F**5 S'+)(B % S('05',5- A4(2*,/(B *+ I05/'9$ 0tattory 4e'latory 2ody o# 8o"t, o# India)Ministry o# 1ealt! B /amily Wel#are>rd /loor% /*$ 2!a)an% 3otla 4oadNe) *el!i-110002*ated E 5t! Dly% 2011.o%F**5 S'+)(B C*66/--/*0), *+ ';; S('()-7UT-::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:23 :::-101-WPL/1688/20150;@ect E- Clari#ication on t!e stats o# P;lic La;s #nctionin' at Centre/0tate/A. a#ter t!e proml'ation o# /00 $ct% 2006 )it! e##ect #rom 5t! $'st% 2011,0ection o# t!e /00 $ct re?ires t!at all #ood testin' nder t!e$ct )ill ;edoneinN$2L or anyot!er /00$I appro"ed accredited la;, 0tate 8o"ernments and A. 8o"ernment!a"ealready;eenad"isedint!isre'ardand t!ereslts o# aF'apanalysisF commissioned;y/00$I in respect o# t!e 0tate La;s !a"e ;een s!ared #or appropriate action #or t!e p'radation o# t!e La;s to accredited standards, 1o)e"er% #romt!einteraction)it!t!e0tate 8o"ernmentsit isclear t!at t!eprocessisli6elytota6e some time and t!e la;s )ill not ;e a;le to 'et accreditation ;e#ore 5t!$'st% 2011 )!en t!e /00 $ct )ill ;ecome operational,.!e matter !as ;een e=amined and it is clari#ied t!at t!e e=istin' P;lic /ood .estin' La;oratories )!ic! are testin' #ood samples nder P/$ )ill contine to per#orm t!eir #nction o# #ood testin' nder 0ection &8 o# /00 $ct% 2006 till any noti#ication is issed nder 0ection o# /00 $ct% 2006, .!e Central /ood La;oratories at 3ol6ata% Pne and Mysore and /40L% 8!a7ia;ad )ill #nction as t!e re#erral la;oratories, Cors sincerely% 90, 0, 8!on6ro6ta) *irectorH.!e said Noti#ication clearly mentions t!at t!e said Noti#ication !ad ;een issed till t!e La;oratories nder t!e /00 $ct% 2006 )ere accredited ;y N$2L and reco'ni7ed and noti#ied ;y t!e /ood $t!ority,It is an admitted position t!at in 2012 t!e se"eral La;oratories !a"e ;een so reco'ni7ed ;y t!e /ood $t!ority and noti#ied ;y issin'Noti#ications,.!e contention o# t!e learned Consel#or 4espondent No,2 is% ::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:23 :::-102-WPL/1688/2015t!ere#ore% not accepta;le,.!e contention o# Mr, 3!am;atta t!e learned 0enior Consel #or 4espondent Nos, > and < t!at t!is isse )!ic!)as raised in re@oinder ;y t!e Petitioner )as an a#tert!o'!t% also cannot ;e accepted and% t!ere#ore% it is not possi;letoplacerelianceont!ereportso# t!e/ood $nalysts 'i"en ;y "arios 0tates in respect o# analysis o# t!e samples o# t!eprodct o# t!ePetitioner and t!ere#ore decision ta6en ;y t!e /ood $t!ority relyin' on t!ese reports t!ere#ore )ill !a"e to ;e set aside, (n t!e same 'rond% it )ill not ;epossi;letoaccept t!ereportso# t!esamples )!ic! !a"e ;een tendered on ;e!al# o# t!e Petitioner since t!ere is no manner o# 6no)in' )!et!er procedre !as ;een properly#ollo)edor not,I--4)N*. (VIII)(*(&) 1&52 0C I5::: Downloaded on - 14/08/2015 10:31:23 :::-10arisin'ot o# 0LP 9Ci"il) No, 65& o# 1&&1 t!e Commission directed t!e 2an'alore *e"elopment $t!ority to pay 4s 2 $C ++0:=-+:;>/ 0 WLR 0;: = -+:;>/ + $LL ER