India, July 22 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has denied allegations of religious profiling of eatery owners through its controversial decision to make QR code compulsory for shops selling food items under challenge before the Supreme Court.

In an affidavit before the top court, the state clarified that the order issued by the commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) is applicable across the state and is part of a series of orders to publicise the use of a Food Safety Connect Mobile App - a country-wide application initiated by the central government.

The state said, "The directive mandating QR coding of eateries in the state does not require disclosure of religious identity. The petitioner in the captioned applications...