shimla the governments decision to ban 25 food items packed in nonbiodegradable packs from july 1 has been relaxed till september 3 the sop came after the himachal pradesh high court put in abeyance the notification issued by the state government on june 26 through this notification the state government had banned 25 food items including chips kurkure and biscuits among others in plastic and nonbiodegradable packing for sale and stocking from july 1 division bench comprising justice d d sud and justice sanjay karol passed the orders on monday on the petitions of sanyukt vyapar mandal khalini indian biscuits manufacturers association noida and haroli block industries associations tahliwal in una as per january 10 orders the high court had directed the state to ban the said items in plastic packaging from april 1 but had extended the time limit to implement the orders for three months on a request of the government citing farreaching consequences on multiple stakeholders while issuing the orders on nonbiodegradable packaging in january the division bench of high court had pointed out that banning junk food was not in the courts purview but to comply with the hp nonbiodegradable garbage control act 1995 these harmful items which are classified as junk foods should be sold in the state only in biodegradable packing the state government had said that additional time was required to evaluate the possible consequences that may arise as a result of ban on sale of identified food items and the aspects with respect to relocation of workers the status of loans obtained by local units machinery and infrastructure the state government had submitted that the immediate impact of ban will be on 6000 workers directly employed in 270 local units manufacturing such products the time limit granted by the court had expired on june 30 and the government had gone ahead with banning the said 25 food items in plastic packs from july 1 sale of products banned for being wrapped in nonbiodegradable packs includes chips wafers biscuits namkeen candy chewing gum icecream chocolates noodles sugary cereals cornflakes pizzas burgers patties french fries carbonated drinks fruit beverages and cakes use of polythene carry bags by traders vendors and retailers is prohibited under hp nonbiodegradable garbage control act 1995 while in july 7 2009 the ban was extended to the use of disposable plastic cups plates and bottles