A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Bombay High Court bench of the Chief Justice Alok Aradhe & Justice Bharti Dhangre, seeking directions to both the Central and State Governments as well as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to mandate the inclusion of cancer warning labels on alcohol bottles.

The petiton, filed by social activist Yash Chilwar, highlights the fact that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified alcohol as a Class I carcinogen—a substance that can cause cancer—yet the public remains unaware of the health hazard.

The PIL also pointed out that countries like Ireland and South Korea have already introduced similar mandatory warnings. The Petitioner stresses that alcohol beverages should have clear and bold labels about the potential risk of cancer, but currently such labels are missing.

Case Title: Yash Chilwar v. UOI Thr Ministry of Food and Drug Administration & ors.