Shimla, Nov 19 (IANS): The Himachal Pradesh High Court Tuesday extended the stay on the state government notification banning 25 junk food items in plastic packaging till Dec 9.

It also granted time to the central government to file its reply.

The June 26 notification banned junk food items like chips, kurkure, biscuits and noodles in plastic and non-biodegradable packaging for sale and stocking from July 1 in compliance with the high court orders.

A division bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Rajiv Sharma directed the parties to complete the pleadings by Dec 9 and clarified that no further adjournment should be granted.

The court passed the orders on the petitions of the Sanyukt Vyapar Mandal of Shimla, the Indian Biscuits Manufacturers Association of Noida and the Haroli Block Industries Associations of Talhiwal in Una.

Earlier, the high court Sep 3 had stayed the notification till Nov 19.

As per the court's judgment, eatables like potato chips, cookies, candy, chewing-gum, ice-cream, chocolates and noodles would not be available in polythene packets.

Essential items like milk and vegetable oils are, however, exempted from the ban.