The Delhi High Court has told the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) that labeling cosmetics as vegetarian or non-vegetarian cannot be made mandatory for manufacturers, and those manufacturers may do so voluntarily. The CDSCO stated in an affidavit filed before a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh that the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has not "agreed to mandate a green (for vegetarian) or red (for non-vegetarian) dot on every packet of cosmetic as it may complicate the regulation and add regulatory burden on stakeholders." However, the drug regulatory body stated that labeling items such as soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, and other cosmetics and toiletries can be made voluntary and left up to the manufacturer. On September 10, last year, an advisory was issued stating that "manufacturers of cosmetics may indicate a red/brown or green dot on packages of soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, and other cosmetics and toiletries voluntarily for their vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin, respectively." The CDSCO's affidavit was in response to a request by Ram Gau Raksha Dal, a non-governmental trust, to label products as vegetarian or non-vegetarian based not only on the ingredients but also on the substance used in the manufacturing process. The petition, filed by advocate Rajat Aneja, stated that it is a fundamental right of any citizen to know whether or not the food they consume, cosmetics and perfumes they use, and clothes and garments they wear contain or are manufactured with components or parts derived from an animal's body. Taking note of the petition, the Supreme Court ruled on December 9 that all food business operators must make a "complete disclosure." Of all the ingredients used in the production of any food item, the court ruled that "every person has a right to know what he or she is consuming, and nothing can be served to the person on a silver platter through deception or camouflage." The court also stated that the ingredients used in the manufacturing process should be written not only in code but also by the source of origin — plant or animal, made naturally or in a laboratory. It also threatened food operators who did not comply with the order with legal action. The court, on the other hand, made no mention of cosmetic products. In its affidavit, CDSCO stated that at a DTAB meeting on April 13, last year, the board stated that there was no clarity or system in place to certify vegetarian and non-vegetarian cosmetic products throughout the country. The case is set to be heard on January 31.
