"Who Has Sponsered You?" Asks Supreme Court While Dismissing PIL Alleging Adulteration In Honey Sold By Some Companies

The Supreme Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought criminal action and a ban on all industries and companies allegedly engaged in the unauthorized production of adulterated honey. The PIL also sought test reports of various honey brands to be submitted before the Court to ensure the authenticity of honey products sold in the Indian markets.

On April 19, 2021, the Court issued a notice in this matter to the Central government and all the States. Today, the Petitioner apprised the Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Rajesh Bindal that out of all 40 Respondents, only the State of Tamil Nadu filed its response. "The Notice was issued to all the Respondents but only one, the 13th Respondent, State of Tamil Nadu has filed its response", submitted the counsel.

However, expressing disclination in entertaining the matter, Justice Nath remarked, "Why should we not dismiss all these petitions with cost now?". Justice Nath asked the counsel, "Dabur, Patanjali, Zandu... they are all adulterating honey with sugar syrup?" and further remarked, "But sponsored by whom? Who has sponsored you? Baidyanath? Baidyanath is not there... Baidyanth must have sponsored you."

Expressing doubts on the merits of the Petition, Justice Bindal also commented, "You are for a particular brand." Accordingly, the Bench dismissed the Petition. Justice Nath stated, "Adulteration... go to the authority concerned. Make a complaint." 

The PIL, filed by the Anti-Corruption Council of India through Advocate-on-Record Manju Jetley, asserted that news reports on various online portals indicated an ongoing investigation by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealing that honey sold by several brands, including Dabur, Patanjali, and Zandu, was found to be adulterated with sugar syrup.

The PIL submitted that this situation posed a significant health risk as individuals, unknowingly consuming more sugar instead of genuine honey, were increasing their vulnerability to COVID-19. "Therefore, instead of honey people are eating more sugar which will add to the risk of Covid-19. Sugar ingestion is direct to obesity, and obese people are more vulnerable to threatening infections" stated the PIL. 

It was further submitted in the PIL that, "According to researchers from the Centre for Science and Environment, major Indian Honey brands are mixing honey with a modified sugar from China which bypasses some basic tests used to detect the adulteration in honey. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) alleged that Chinese companies were exporting sugar syrup as 'fructose syrup' to India with claims that it could bypass the basic test specified for selling honey in the Indian market."

Cause Title: Anti Corruption Council Of India Trust v. Ministry Of Home Affairs & Ors. [Diary No.- 7912 - 2021]