The Himachal Pradesh High Court has imposed a ban saying that no food items, particularly junk food and several others be packaged in non bio-degradable plastics beginning 1 April 2013. The products include chocolates, ice creams, chips, noodles among others.
The harmful products if sold in the state in packed condition need to be sold in bio-degradable packing only.
With the new rule in place, the items are expected to slightly become more expensive.
The court also ordered that biodegradable packing will be used for selling other items such as jalebi, gulab jamun, naan, pau-bhaji, fruits and vegetables.
On 19 June 2010, a committee was constituted to consider whether a decision can be taken to ban non-biodegradable packaging use in the state, completely.
The court, which also expressed concern about banned polythene bags that are being used in some places, directed the authorities to make the penalties more harsh.
