{"id":235172,"date":"2002-11-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2002-11-12T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalindia.com\/judgments\/ozair-husain-vs-union-of-india-uoi-through-the-on-13-november-2002"},"modified":"2016-10-23T07:34:16","modified_gmt":"2016-10-23T02:04:16","slug":"ozair-husain-vs-union-of-india-uoi-through-the-on-13-november-2002","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalindia.com\/judgments\/ozair-husain-vs-union-of-india-uoi-through-the-on-13-november-2002","title":{"rendered":"Ozair Husain vs Union Of India (Uoi) Through The &#8230; on 13 November, 2002"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"docsource_main\">Delhi High Court<\/div>\n<div class=\"doc_title\">Ozair Husain vs Union Of India (Uoi) Through The &#8230; on 13 November, 2002<\/div>\n<div class=\"doc_citations\">Equivalent citations: AIR 2003 Delhi 103, 101 (2002) DLT 229<\/div>\n<div class=\"doc_author\">Author: Anil Dev Singh<\/div>\n<div class=\"doc_bench\">Bench: A D Singh, M Mudgal<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<pre><\/pre>\n<p>JUDGMENT<\/p>\n<p> Anil Dev Singh, J: <\/p>\n<p> 1. By this public interest writ petitioner seeks: (i) a direction to<br \/>\nthe respondents to protect the rights of innocent conscientious consumers who object<br \/>\nto the use of animals in whole or in part or their derivatives in food, cosmetics and<br \/>\ndrugs, etc., by making the manufacturers and packers thereof to disclose the<br \/>\ningredients of the aforesaid products so that they make an informed choice with<br \/>\nregard to their consumption; (ii) a direction to the manufacturers and packers of<br \/>\ncosmetics, drugs and articles of food for complete and full disclosure of the<br \/>\ningredients of their products being sold to consumers; (iii) a declaration that the<br \/>\nconsumers have a right of making an informed choice between the products made or<br \/>\nderived from animal and non-animal ingredients; and (iv) a direction to the<br \/>\nmanufacturers and packers of food, cosmetic and drugs that the products made from<br \/>\nanimals should bear an easily identifiable symbol conveying that it has an animal<br \/>\ningredient. The petitioner seeks the directions and declaration keeping in view the<br \/>\nfact that about 60% of the people of this country are vegetarians so that they can<br \/>\nmake an informed choice of products as per their beliefs and opinions.\n<\/p>\n<p> 2. The petitioner claims to be an animal welfare volunteer and a member of<br \/>\nseveral animal welfare organisations. He is also stated to be a conscientious objector<br \/>\nto be consumption and use of animals and their derivatives for food, cosmetics and<br \/>\ndrugs. It has been highlighted in the petition that more than 60% of the people of<br \/>\nthis country are vegetarians and over 50% of them are illiterate and large number of<br \/>\nthem cannot read or write English. It is urged by the learned counsel for the<br \/>\npetitioner that there should be complete disclosure of constituents of cosmetics and<br \/>\nfood products and that such products should bear an easily recognisable symbol<br \/>\nconveying the origin or ingredients of the products, whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian,<br \/>\nso that both literate or illiterate consumers can make an informed choice<br \/>\nbefore selecting the products. He pleads that Articles 19(1)(a), 21, 25 of the<br \/>\nConstitution as also the Preamble to the Constitution mandates disclosure of<br \/>\ninformation.\n<\/p>\n<p> 3. The questions for our determination in this petition are: (i) whether or<br \/>\nnot in this country a consumer of cosmetics, drugs and articles of food has a<br \/>\nconstitutionally guaranteed right to full disclosure of the ingredients thereof<br \/>\nclearly specified on the product or its label or wrapper by means of a writing; (ii)<br \/>\nwhether or not packages of non-vegetarian products should bear a symbol giving<br \/>\ntheir non-vegetarian origin; and (iii) whether or not a package of vegetarian product<br \/>\nshould also bear a symbol?\n<\/p>\n<p> 4. In short the main question which requires our consideration is: Whether<br \/>\nthe Constitution mandates disclosure of information? The answer to the other two<br \/>\nquestions will depend on answer to the main question. It seems to us that answer to<br \/>\nthe main question lies in Article 19(1)(a), 21 and 25 of the Constitution and preamble<br \/>\nthereto. To answer the question, it will also be necessary to keep in view some of the<br \/>\nArticles of European Convention on Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil<br \/>\n&amp; Political Rights and the judgments on the subject.\n<\/p>\n<p>  Consideration of the question with reference to Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution<br \/>\nread with Preamble thereto:\n<\/p>\n<p> 5. Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees to all citizens freedom of<br \/>\nspeech and expression. At the same time, Article 19(2) permits the State to make<br \/>\nany law in so far as such law imposes reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the<br \/>\nrights conferred by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution in the interest of the<br \/>\nsovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with<br \/>\nforeign States, public order, decency, morality, contempt of court, defamation and<br \/>\nincitement to an offence.\n<\/p>\n<p> 6. <a href=\"\/doc\/1328482\/\">In  State of U.P. v. Raj Narayan and Ors.,<\/a> , the<br \/>\nSupreme Court, while interpreting Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, held that a<br \/>\ncitizen has a right to receive information and that right is derived from the concept of<br \/>\nfreedom of speech and expression comprised in the said Article. Similarly, in<br \/>\n <a href=\"\/doc\/539407\/\">Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India and Ors. v.<br \/>\nCricket Association of Bengal and Ors.<\/a> , the Supreme Court<br \/>\nreiterated that the freedom of speech and expression includes right to acquire<br \/>\ninformation. <a href=\"\/doc\/257876\/\">In  His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru v. State of Kerala and Anr.,<\/a> , and <a href=\"\/doc\/1301360\/\">P.V. Narsimha Rao v. State (CBI\/SPE),<\/a> , it was held that fundamental right to receive information<br \/>\nflows from the right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined in Article<br \/>\n19(1)(a) of the Constitution.\n<\/p>\n<p> 7. In  Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India and Anr.,<br \/>\n2001 I AD (Delhi) 253, a Division Bench of this Court held that it is imperative for<br \/>\nthe State to ensure the availability of the right to a citizen to receive the information.<br \/>\nThough this was said in the context of the elections, the principle will apply with<br \/>\nequal force to the instant case. For making a right choice of food, cosmetics and<br \/>\ndrugs it is essential that the consumer should be apprised of the ingredients of such<br \/>\nproducts and he should not be kept in dark as non-availability of information would<br \/>\nlead to violation of his right to freedom of expression comprised in Article 19(1)(a) of<br \/>\nthe Constitution.\n<\/p>\n<p> 8. The Supreme Court in  Union of India v. Association for Democratic<br \/>\nReforms, 2002 (4) SCALE 297, while upholding the decision of this Court in<br \/>\nAssociation for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India (supra), held that the right to<br \/>\nreceive information in democracy is recognised all throughout and it is the natural<br \/>\nright flowing from the concept of democracy. It was also held that right to freedom<br \/>\nof speech and expression also includes the right to educate, to inform and to entertain<br \/>\nand also the right to be educated, informed and entertained.\n<\/p>\n<p> 9. In  Ramesh Thapar v. State of Madras, , the Supreme<br \/>\nCourt inter alia held that all members of the society should be able to form their own<br \/>\nbeliefs and communicate the same freely to others.\n<\/p>\n<p> 10. It seems to us that to enable a person to practise the beliefs and opinions<br \/>\nwhich he holds, in a meaningful manner, it is essential for him to receive the relevant<br \/>\ninformation, otherwise he may be prevented from acting in consonance with his<br \/>\nbeliefs and and opinions. In case a vegetarian consumer does not know the<br \/>\ningredients of cosmetics, drugs or food products which he\/she wishes to buy, it will<br \/>\nbe difficult for him or her to practise vegetarianism. In the aforesaid context, freedom<br \/>\nof expression enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) can serve two broad purposes &#8211; (1) it can<br \/>\nhelp the consumer to discover the truth about the composition of the products,<br \/>\nwhether made of animals including birds and fresh water or marine animals or eggs,<br \/>\nand (2) it can help him to fulfilll his belief or opinion in vegetarianism.\n<\/p>\n<p> 11. World has moved towards universalisation of right to freedom of<br \/>\nexpression. In this context we may refer to Article 10 of the European Convention<br \/>\non Human Rights. Article 10 of the Convention provides that every one has a right<br \/>\nto freedom of expression and this right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to<br \/>\nreceive information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless<br \/>\nof frontiers.\n<\/p>\n<p>12. Again, Article 19(1) and 19(2) of the International Covenant on Civil<br \/>\nand Political Rights declares that every one shall have the right to hold opinions<br \/>\nwithout interference, and every one shall have the right to freedom of expression, and<br \/>\nthis right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information of ideas of all<br \/>\nkinds regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or<br \/>\nthrough any other media of his choice. It needs to be noted that India is a signatory<br \/>\nto the aforesaid convention.\n<\/p>\n<p> 13. It is well settled by several judgment of the Supreme Court that while<br \/>\ninterpreting constitutional provisions dealing with fundamental rights the courts must<br \/>\nnot forget principles embodied in the international conventions and instruments and<br \/>\nas far as possible the courts must give effect to the principles contained in those<br \/>\ninstruments. <a href=\"\/doc\/856194\/\">In  Apparel Export Promotion Council v. A.K. Chopra,<\/a> 2000 (1) All<br \/>\nIndia Service Law Journal 65, the Supreme Court went to the extent of holding that<br \/>\nthe courts are under an obligation to give due regard to the international conventions<br \/>\nand norms while construing domestic laws, more so when there is no inconsistency<br \/>\nbetween them and the domestic laws. To the same effect is an earlier decision of the<br \/>\nSupreme Court in  Vishakha and Ors. v. State of Rajasthan and Ors. .\n<\/p>\n<p> 14. Right to hold opinions and to receive information and ideas without<br \/>\ninterference embodied in the Covenant is concomitant to the right to freedom of<br \/>\nspeech and expression which includes right to free flow of information. Since<br \/>\nancient times we have allowed noble thoughts to come from all sides [Rig Veda].<br \/>\nThis has helped in forming, building, strengthening, nurturing, replenishing and<br \/>\nrecreating opinions and beliefs of an individual.\n<\/p>\n<p> 15. Drawing from the aforesaid decisions, effect must be given to the<br \/>\nCovenant. Reading Article 19(1)(a) along with the Covenant, it must be recognised<br \/>\nthat right to freedom of speech and expression includes freedom to seek, receive and<br \/>\nimpart information of ideas. It seems to us that freedom to hold opinions, ideas,<br \/>\nbeliefs and freedom of thought, etc., which is also enshrined in Preamble to the<br \/>\nConstitution, is part of freedom of speech and expression.\n<\/p>\n<p> Consideration of the question with reference to Article 21 of the Constitution:\n<\/p>\n<p> 16. Article 21 enshrines right to life and personal liberty. Expression &#8216;right<br \/>\nto life and personal liberty&#8217; and compendious terms which includes with themselves<br \/>\nvariety of rights and attributes. Some of them are also found in Article 19 and thus<br \/>\nhave two sources at the same time (see  <a href=\"\/doc\/619152\/\">Kharak Singh v. State of U.P.,<\/a> ). In  R.P. Limited v. Proprietors, Indian Express Newspapers, Bombay, Pvt.<br \/>\nLtd. (1988) 4 S.C. 592 (at page 613), the Supreme Court read into Article 21 the<br \/>\nright to know. The Supreme Court held that right of know is a necessary ingredient of<br \/>\nparticipatory democracy. In view of transactional developments when distances are<br \/>\nshrinking, international communities are coming together for cooperation in various<br \/>\nspheres and they are moving towards global perspectives in various fields including<br \/>\nhuman rights, the expression &#8220;liberty&#8221; must receive an expanded meaning. The<br \/>\nexpression cannot be cribbed or confined to mere freedom from bodily restraint. It is<br \/>\nwide enough to expand to full range of rights including right to hold a particular<br \/>\nopinion and right to sustain and nurture that opinion. For sustaining and nurturing<br \/>\nthat opinion it becomes necessary to receive information. In this view of the matter,<br \/>\nwe have no hesitation in holding that Article 21 grants freedom to an individual to<br \/>\nfollow and to stick to his opinions, and for pursuing such a course he has right to<br \/>\nreceive information and also a right to know the ingredients or the constituent of<br \/>\ncosmetics, drugs and food products.\n<\/p>\n<p>  Consideration of the question with reference to Article 25 of the Constitution:\n<\/p>\n<p> 17. We now refer to Article 25 of the Constitution. Article 25, inter alia,<br \/>\ndeals with freedom of conscience. <a href=\"\/doc\/1307370\/\">In  Ratilal Panachand Gandhi v. State of Bombay,<\/a><br \/>\n, it was held that freedom of conscience connotes a person&#8217;s right to<br \/>\nentertain beliefs and doctrine concerning matters, which are regarded by him to be<br \/>\nconducive to his spiritual well-being.\n<\/p>\n<p> 18. <a href=\"\/doc\/1508089\/\">In  Bijoe Emmanuel and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Ors.,<\/a> , the Supreme Court while dealing with the challenge to the expulsion of three<br \/>\nchildren from the school because of their not joining the singing of the national<br \/>\nanthem in the morning assembly in keeping with their religious faith, held that the<br \/>\nexpulsion was in violation of their fundamental right to freedom of conscience.\n<\/p>\n<p> 19. In  United States v. Daniel Andrew Seeger, 380 US 163, 13 Led 2d 733,<br \/>\n85 S Ct 850, it was held that any person opposed to war on the basis of sincere belief<br \/>\nwhich in his life fills the same place as the belief in God fills in the life of an orthodox<br \/>\nreligionist, is entitled to exemption from statutory combatant training and service in<br \/>\nthe armed forces of the United States on the ground of freedom of conscience which<br \/>\nimplies respect for an innate conviction based on belief.\n<\/p>\n<p> 20. It appears to us that where packages of food products, drugs and<br \/>\ncosmetics do not disclose any information in writing and by an appropriate symbol<br \/>\nabout the composition of the products contained therein, right to freedom of<br \/>\nconscience of the consumers is violated as they may be unconsciously consuming a<br \/>\nproduct against their faiths, beliefs and opinions.\n<\/p>\n<p> 21. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we are of the view that it is the<br \/>\nfundamental right of the consumers to know whether the food products, cosmetics<br \/>\nand drugs of non-vegetarian or vegetarian origin, as otherwise it will violate their<br \/>\nfundamental rights under Article 19(1)(a), 21 and 25 of the Constitution.<br \/>\nAccordingly, we answer the main question in the affirmative. Since there is a<br \/>\nconstitutionally guaranteed right of the consumers to the full disclosure of the<br \/>\ningredients of cosmetics, drugs and articles of food, answers to remaining questions\n<\/p>\n<p>(ii) and (iii) necessarily are required to be answered in the affirmative. We,<br \/>\naccordingly, answer the questions (ii) and (iii) also in the affirmative.\n<\/p>\n<p> 22. It seems that the Parliament Realizing that the consumers have a<br \/>\nfundamental right to be apprised of the fact whether or not a food article contains<br \/>\nwhole or part of any animal including birds, fresh water or marine animals or eggs or<br \/>\nproducts of animal origin, brought about necessary changes in the Prevention of Food<br \/>\nAdulteration Act, 1954. At this stage it will be apposite to quote the relevant<br \/>\nprovisions:-\n<\/p>\n<p>   &#8220;xx    xx    xx   xx<\/p>\n<p>PART VII &#8211; PACKING AND LABELLING OF FOODS  <\/p>\n<p> 32.  Package of food to carry a label &#8211; Every package of food carry a<br \/>\nlabel and unless otherwise provided in the rules, there shall be specified<br \/>\non every label:-\n<\/p>\n<p> (a) the name trade name or description of food contained in the<br \/>\npackage;\n<\/p>\n<p> Provided that the name, trade name of the description of<br \/>\nfood  gain on the package of food shall not include the name<br \/>\nof any food or ingredient prefixed or suffixed to it, if such<br \/>\nfood ingredient is not the main ingredient of the final food<br \/>\nproduct.\n<\/p>\n<p> (b) the names of ingredients used in the product in descending<br \/>\norder of their composition by weight or volume as the case<br \/>\nmay be.\n<\/p>\n<p> Provided that in the case of artificial flavouring substance, the<br \/>\nlabel may not declare the Chemical names of the flavours, but in the case<br \/>\nof natural flavouring substances or nature-identical flavouring<br \/>\nsubstance, the common name of flavours shall be mentioned on the<br \/>\nlabel.\n<\/p>\n<p> Provided also that whenever Gelatine is used as an ingredient, a<br \/>\ndeclaration to this effect shall be made on the label by inserting the word<br \/>\n&#8220;Gelatine-Animal Origin.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p> *[Provided also that when any article of food contains whole or<br \/>\npart of any animal including birds, fresh water or marine animals or eggs<br \/>\nor product of any animal origin, but not including milk or milk products,<br \/>\nas an ingredient,-\n<\/p>\n<p> (a) a declaration to this effect shall be made by a symbol and colour<br \/>\ncode so stipulated for this purpose to indicate that the produce is<br \/>\nNon-Vegetarian. The symbol shall consist of a brown colour<br \/>\nfilled circle having a diameter not less than the minimum size<br \/>\nspecified in the Table given below, inside the square with brown<br \/>\noutline having side double the diameter of the circle, as indicated<br \/>\nin Clause 16) of Sub-rule (ZZZ) of Rule 42;\n<\/p>\n<p>  TABLE<\/p>\n<p>  S. No.<br \/>\n  Area of principal display panel<br \/>\n  Minimum size of diameter in mm.\n<\/p>\n<p>  1.<br \/>\n  up to 100 cms square<br \/>\n<span class=\"hidden_text\">  3<\/span><\/p>\n<p>  2.<br \/>\n  Above 100 cms square up to 500 cms square<br \/>\n<span class=\"hidden_text\">  4<\/span><\/p>\n<p>  3.<br \/>\n  Above 500 cms square up to 2500 cms square<br \/>\n<span class=\"hidden_text\">  6<\/span><\/p>\n<p>  4.<br \/>\n  Above 2500 cms square<br \/>\n<span class=\"hidden_text\">  8<\/span><\/p>\n<p> (b) the symbol shall be prominently displayed,-\n<\/p>\n<p> (i) on the package having contrast background on<br \/>\nprincipal display panel;\n<\/p>\n<p> (ii) just close in proximity to the name or brand name of<br \/>\nthe product, and  <\/p>\n<p> (iii) one the labels, containers, pamphlets, leaflets,<br \/>\nadvertisements in any media;\n<\/p>\n<p> Provided also that where any article of food contains egg<br \/>\nonly as Non-Vegetarian ingredient, the manufacturer, or packer or seller<br \/>\nmay give declaration to this effect in addition to the said to the said<br \/>\nsymbol.\n<\/p>\n<p> Provided further that the provisions of these rules shall not<br \/>\napply in respect of any Non-vegetarian Food which is manufactured and<br \/>\npacked without the symbol before the Commencement of the Prevention<br \/>\nof Food Adulteration (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2001] <\/p>\n<p> [*Ins. By GSR 245 (E), dt. 4.4.2001, w.e.f. 4.10.2001] <\/p>\n<p> xx    xx    xx<\/p>\n<p> #[Provided also that for all Vegetarian Food,-\n<\/p>\n<p> (a) a declaration to this effect shall be made by a symbol and<br \/>\ncolour code so stipulated for this purpose to indicate that<br \/>\nthe product is Vegetarian Food. The symbol shall consist<br \/>\nof a green colour filled circle, having a diameter not less<br \/>\nthan the minimum size in the Table given below, inside the<br \/>\nsquare with green outline having side double the diameter<br \/>\nof the circle, as indicated in Clause (17) of Sub-rule (ZZZ)<br \/>\nof Rule 42;\n<\/p>\n<p>TABLE <\/p>\n<p> S.No.\n<\/p>\n<p> Area of principal display panel<\/p>\n<p> Minimum size of diameter in mm.\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\"> (1)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\"> (2)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\"> (3)<\/span><\/p>\n<p> 1.<\/p>\n<p> up to 100 cms square<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\"> 3<\/span><\/p>\n<p> 2.<\/p>\n<p> Above 100 cms square up to 500 cms square<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\"> 4<\/span><\/p>\n<p> 3.<\/p>\n<p> Above 500 cms square 2500 cms square<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\"> 6<\/span><\/p>\n<p> 4.<\/p>\n<p> Above 2500 cms square<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\"> 8<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p> (b) the symbol shall be prominently displayed,-\n<\/p>\n<p> (i) on the package having contrast background on<br \/>\nprincipal display panel; (ii) just close in proximity to<br \/>\nthe name or brand name of the product, and (iii) one<br \/>\nthe labels, containers, pamphlets, leaflets,<br \/>\nadvertisements in any media;\n<\/p>\n<p> Provided further that the provisions of these rule shall not<br \/>\napply in respect of any Vegetarian Food which is<br \/>\nmanufactured and packed without the symbol before the<br \/>\ncommencement of the Prevention of Food Adulteration (9th<br \/>\nAmendment) Rules, 2001:\n<\/p>\n<p> Provided also that the provisions of these rules shall not<br \/>\napply in respect of mineral water or packaged drinking<br \/>\nwater or carbonated water or liquid and powdered milk.] <\/p>\n<p> #(Ins. By GSR 908(E), dt. 20.12.2001, w.e.f. 20.5.2002] <\/p>\n<p> xx   xx   xx <\/p>\n<p>+[Explanation IX &#8211; &#8220;Non-Vegetarian Food&#8221; means an<br \/>\narticle of food which contains whole or part of any animal including<br \/>\nbirds, fresh water or marine animals or eggs or products of any animal<br \/>\norigin, but not including milk or milk products, as an ingredient.] <\/p>\n<p> +[Subs. by GSR 245(E), dt. 4.4.2001, w.e.f. 4.10.2001, for<br \/>\n&#8220;Explanation IX &#8211; &#8220;Non-Vegetarian Food&#8221; means an article<br \/>\nof food which contains whole or part of any animal<br \/>\nincluding birds, fresh water or marine animals or eggs as an<br \/>\ningredient.&#8221; Prev. ins. by GSR 463(E), dt. 17.5.2000, w.e.f.<br \/>\n17.11.2000] <\/p>\n<p> @[Explanation X &#8211; &#8220;Vegetarian Food&#8221; means by article of<br \/>\nFood other than the Non-Vegetarian Food as defined in Explanation IX<br \/>\nof this rule;] <\/p>\n<p> @[Ins. By GSR 908(E), dt. 20.12.2001, w.e.f. 20.5.2002] <\/p>\n<p> xx    xx   xx<\/p>\n<p> $[(ZZZ) (16) Every package of Non-Vegetarian Food shall<br \/>\nbear the following symbol on the principal display panel just close in<br \/>\nproximity to the name or brand name of food, namely:-\n<\/p>\n<p> $[Ins. By GSR 245(E), dt. 4.4.2001, w.e.f. 4.10.2001] <\/p>\n<p> %[(ZZZ) (17) Every package of Vegetarian Food shall bear<br \/>\nthe following symbol in green colour on the principal display panel just<br \/>\nclose in proximity to name or brand name of the Food, namely:-\n<\/p>\n<p> %[Ins. By GSR 908(E), dt. 20.12.2001, w.e.f. 20.5.2002] <\/p>\n<p> xx   xx    xx&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p> 23. In so far as food products are concerned, adequate provisions have been<br \/>\nmade for informing the consumers as to whether or not the article of food is<br \/>\nvegetarian or non-vegetarian. As regards drugs and cosmetics, necessary<br \/>\namendments have not been made in the relevant statutes. In so far as a life saving<br \/>\ndrug is concerned, there is a view point that the information: whether or not it is<br \/>\nderived or manufactured, wholly or partly, from an animal, should not be disclosed<br \/>\nsince it is meant to fight disease and save life. In other words, a patient, who is<br \/>\nsuffering from serious ailment, which can be fatal if a life saving drug is not<br \/>\nadministered to him, need not be informed in his own interest as to whether or not<br \/>\nthe drug contains part of any animal as it is conducive to preservation of life and,<br \/>\ntherefore, in tune with Article 21 of the Constitution. this also means that he should<br \/>\nnot have a choice in the matter of administering life saving drug to him. In many<br \/>\ncases patients are unconscious and they have to be put on life saving drugs. In any<br \/>\nevent they cannot exercise an informed choice in the matter of selection of such<br \/>\ndrugs. In the circumstances, therefore, the aforesaid view must prevail in case of life<br \/>\nsaving drugs. This limited exception will apply only to life saving drugs. It needs to<br \/>\nbe clarified that all drugs do not qualify for being treated as life saving drugs. Drugs<br \/>\nwhich are not life saving drugs must stand at part with the food products and in case<br \/>\nthey are derived from animals, whether in whole or in part, the consumers must be<br \/>\ninformed.\n<\/p>\n<p> 24. In so far as cosmetics are concerned, the same must be treated at par<br \/>\nwith articles\/packages of food for the purposes of disclosure of their ingredients.\n<\/p>\n<p> 25. Till such time the requisite amendments are carried out, we direct as<br \/>\nunder:-\n<\/p>\n<p> (1) Where a cosmetic or a drug other than life saving drug, as the case<br \/>\nmay be, contains ingredients of non-vegetarian origin, the package<br \/>\nshall carry label bearing the following symbol in red colour on the<br \/>\nprincipal display panel just close in proximity to name or brand<br \/>\nname of the drug or cosmetic :-\n<\/p>\n<p> (2) Where a cosmetic or a drug other than life saving drug, as the case<br \/>\nmay be, contains ingredients wholly of vegetarian origin, the<br \/>\npackage shall bear the following symbol in green colour on the<br \/>\nprincipal display panel just close in proximity to name or brand<br \/>\nname of the drug or cosmetic:-\n<\/p>\n<p> (3) Where a cosmetic or a drug other than life saving drug has<br \/>\ningredients of vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin, a declaration<br \/>\nshall be made in writing on the package indicating the nature of the<br \/>\norigin of the product.\n<\/p>\n<p> (4) The Director General of Health Services\/Drugs Controller General,<br \/>\nGovt. of India, shall issue a list of Life Saving Drugs within a period<br \/>\nof two months.\n<\/p>\n<p> 26. With the above directions and observations, the writ petition is disposed of.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Delhi High Court Ozair Husain vs Union Of India (Uoi) Through The &#8230; on 13 November, 2002 Equivalent citations: AIR 2003 Delhi 103, 101 (2002) DLT 229 Author: Anil Dev Singh Bench: A D Singh, M Mudgal JUDGMENT Anil Dev Singh, J: 1. By this public interest writ petitioner seeks: (i) a direction to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-235172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-delhi-high-court","category-high-court"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ozair Husain vs Union Of India (Uoi) Through The ... on 13 November, 2002 - Free Judgements of Supreme Court &amp; High Court | Legal India<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalindia.com\/judgments\/ozair-husain-vs-union-of-india-uoi-through-the-on-13-november-2002\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ozair Husain vs Union Of India (Uoi) Through The ... on 13 November, 2002 - Free Judgements of Supreme Court &amp; 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