IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWPIL No. 74 of 2026 Decided on : 09.07.2026 Dr. Vinod Kumar Dhawan ...Petitioner Versus State of H.P. and others …Respondents. Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Bipin Chander Negi, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner: Mr. Karan Veer Dhawan and Mr. Sative Chauhan, Advocates. For the respondents : Mr. Rakesh Dhaulta, Additional Advocate General. G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice (Oral) Apparently, during the course of arguments, it transpired that the petitioner is seeking compliance with the statutory provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 and the Dairy Products and Analogues Standards pertaining to analogue paneer/analogue cheese, bills, menus and display boards, etc. 2. It is not disputed that the petitioner had served a representation-cum-legal notice dated 18th May, 2026 (Annexure P-3) upon the official respondents, while referring to the public notice issued dated 22.04.2026 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (West Region). It is also not disputed that the State has, in fact, issued 1Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the Judgment? Yes -2- instructions to all the Assistant Commissioners (Food Safety), H.P. on 24th June, 2026 (Annexure P-4), whereby they were directed to issue directions to all restaurants, hotels, caterers, online aggregators and fast-food outlets, etc., regarding the said issue. Reference has also been made to menus bills and display boards in compliance with the 2011 Regulations. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the issue of testing has been left out, and it also forms part of the regular testing and maintenance of records of such tests, as contemplated in the public notice (Annexure P-2) issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (West Region). 4. That being so, the petitioner is free to file an appropriate representation before the authorities concerned, pointing out any ambiguity, if any, in the instructions issued on 24th June, 2026 (Annexure P-4). 5. Accordingly, we dispose of the present petition with the aforesaid liberty and the assurance that the State shall look into the said issue expeditiously and take an independent decision. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. (G.S. Sandhawalia) Chief Justice (Bipin Chander Negi) Judge 9th July, 2026 (Tarun Singh)