Symbols to indicate non-vegetarian or vegetarian ingredients are not required to be printed on the package of a cosmetic or a drug, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Overturning Delhi High Court's 12-year-old verdict, a bench of Justice GS Singhvi and Justice SJ Mukopadhaya held the court had no jurisdiction to issue such directions. On November 13, 2002 the HC had directed cosmetic and drug manufacturers to print a red symbol on the package with non-vegetarian ingredients and green symbol on products containing ingredients of purely vegetarian origin.

The HC order, however, exempted life-saving drugs. The direction had come on a PIL filed by Ozair Husain and others seeking disclosures on the nature of such products.

Accepting the appeal of Indian Soaps and Toiletries Makers Association and the central government, the SC said court had no jurisdiction since the issue had already been considered by the Centre and was referred to the Drug Technical Advisory Board.