Rules allow certain plastics for packing milk products: Govt to HC

CHENNAI: The usage of certain plastic materials for packing milk and milk products is permitted by the Food Safety and Standards (Packing) Regulations, 2018, the government informed the Madras High Court.

Appearing for the Food Safety Department, Additional Advocate General (AAG) J Ravindran told a division bench of Justices S Vaidyanathan and PT Asha that glass bottles with metal or plastic polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) caps, and rigid containers made of PET with PP or HDPE come in contact with the milk and milk packets.

“Flexible plastic pouches, aseptic and flexible packaging material, tin plate material, paper-based lined cartons with a liner made up of aluminium foil-based laminated structure, and other schedule IV plastic materials are allowed to pack milk products,” the AAG submitted.

He added that 492 civil cases have been lodged and a penalty of Rs 61,10,800 was imposed for milk standards and labelling violations. “About 13 criminal cases have been launched against milk vendors/manufacturers for violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, in which a fine amount of Rs 1.79 lakh was imposed. After the plastic ban order, about 17,592 kg banned plastics were seized and a penalty of Rs 33.84 lakh was imposed,” he added.