The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of a study that revealed the presence of microplastics in Indian salt and sugar brands, in various forms, including fibre, pellets, films and fragments.
The petition is registered suo motu on the basis of a news item dated 13.08.2024.
As per the article, the study tested 10 types of salt, including table salt, rock salt, sea salt and local raw salt and five types of sugar purchased from both online and local markets.
The news item highlights that the size of these microplastics ranged from 0.1 mm to 5 mm. The highest levels of microplastics were found in iodised salt, in the form of multi-coloured thin fibre and films. The concentration of microplastics in the salt samples ranged from 6.71 to 89.15 pieces per kilogramme of dry weight.
Iodised salt had the highest concentration of microplastics (89.15 pieces per kilogramme) while organic rock salt had the lowest (6.70 pieces per kilogramme). In sugar samples, the concentration of microplastics ranged from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilogramme, with the highest concentration found in nonorganic sugar.
The news item also highlights that the presence of microplastics can have adverse and long-term health impacts on human health. Microplastic can harm both health and the environment. These tiny plastic particles can enter the human body through food, water and air. Recent research has found microplastics in human organs such as the lungs, heart, and even in breast milk and unborn babies.
The article asserts that the average Indian consumes 10.98 grams of salt and around 10 spoons of sugar every day, much higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A. Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(1). Central Pollution Control Board, through its Member Secretary.
(2). Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, through its Secretary.
(3). Indian Council of Medical Research, through its Secretary.
(4). Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, through its CEO.
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents and listed the matter on 03.12.2024.