Rajasthan High Court Acts on Missing Cancer Warnings for Liquor
A division bench of the Rajasthan High Court took decisive action on Thursday. The court issued formal notices to multiple government bodies. These include the Union Health Ministry, the Rajasthan government, the state's Social Justice Ministry, the Excise Department, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The notices address a serious public health concern.
Court Grants Four Weeks for Replies
The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma, granted four weeks to the respondents. They must file their replies within this period. The court issued the notices during a preliminary hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL). This legal action highlights growing worries about alcohol labeling.
Petitioner Cites Legal Provisions and Medical Evidence
Petitioner's counsel Geetesh Joshi presented strong arguments in court. He pointed to Section 16(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This section mandates statutory warnings on labels of alcoholic beverages. Currently, these warnings are required only in English.
Joshi also referenced findings from three oncologists at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Their research, published in a magazine article, strongly recommends cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages. The evidence clearly links alcohol consumption to multiple forms of cancer.
Demand for Clear and Pictorial Warnings
The petitioner argued that current liquor bottles lack clear and effective warnings. Many consumers have limited education. Therefore, warnings should be illustrated and printed in the local language. This approach would ensure better awareness of serious health risks, including cancer.
The court's intervention underscores the urgency of this issue. Public health advocates welcome the move. They believe pictorial warnings can save lives by informing consumers effectively.
