NGT Issues Notices to ICMR, FSSAI Over Microplastics in Salt and Sugar Brands

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and other relevant authorities in connection with the presence of microplastics in all salt and sugar brands in the country.

The tribunal initiated this inquiry on its own (suo motu) after taking note of a news report that revealed the presence of microplastics in various forms, such as fibers, pellets, films, and fragments.

A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel, observed, “The news report indicates that the size of these microplastics ranges from 0.1 mm to 5 mm, with the highest concentrations found in iodised salt, where they appear as multi-colored thin fibers and films. In sugar samples, microplastic concentrations were reported to range from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kg, with the highest levels found in non-organic sugar.”

The bench emphasized that the news report highlights the potential adverse and long-term health impacts of microplastics on human health. The report notes that the average Indian consumes 10.98 grams of salt and approximately 10 spoons of sugar daily, which is significantly higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.

The tribunal considered the issue raised in the news report to be of substantial importance concerning compliance with environmental norms. It has directed the CEO of FSSAI, the secretaries of ICMR and the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, and the member secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board to file their responses by way of affidavits at least one week before the next hearing on December 3, 2024.

The tribunal also stated that if any respondent submits a reply directly, bypassing their advocate, they must be virtually present to assist the tribunal during the proceedings.