Bombay High Court issues notice in PIL seeking labelling of meat products as humane/non-humane

The Bombay High Court on Monday issued notice to the Central government and the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking labelling of meat food products 'humane' or 'non-humane'..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice MS Karnik issued notice and posted the matter for further hearing on June 13..The petition, filed by Advocate Virat Agarwal, said that the traditional process of slaughtering an animal for meat consumption, Halal, is harsh and cruel. It was argued that individuals who are not bound by such religious practices should be educated on the process of meat slaughter so that they can make an informed decision.The PIL thus sought that meat products served in airlines, railways, supermarkets, restaurants, meat shops, hotels, malls, and other establishments be labelled depending on their method of slaughter. .It was argued that the same is very possible, because, according to the requirements for the establishment of a slaughterhouse provided in the FSSAI Regulations, there are separate provisions for carrying out different methods of slaughter..The petitioner relied on the Supreme Court ruling in the matter of Indian Soaps & Toiletries Makers Association v. Ozair Husain, in which the top court decided that it is essential for the State to ensure individuals' access to such information. It was advised that such information be provided to the extent that it is accessible and practicable without infringing on the basic rights of others.However, it was claimed that there is currently no enforcement in terms of keeping a customer informed about the way of killing of an animal.This, according to the petitioner, is a violation of Article 21 and Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which incorporates within its provisions the right to make an informed choice of food..The Central government was represented by Advocate DP Singh.