Food Safety and Standard Act 2006

Posted on October 3, 2011 by SRRF
Today what we eat is so much prone to contamination at any point of Food Chain. Often referred to as Farm to Fork, major risks in this chain could be identified as pesticide overuse, irrigation by untreated sewage water, poor sanitation at food markets or even faulty cold storage. In case of Indian scenario one could add the retail part of it.

The Government has now notified a new Act Food & Safety Standard Act 2006 replacing the old and ineffective Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.

The new Act is using a multi-level approach of strengthening the monitoring and heavy fines. For example now penalties for adulteration have been enhanced upto a maximum of Rs 10 lakhs compared to just Rs 500/- to Rs 5000/- earlier. Earlier the cases were presented in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, which often resulted in delays. Now initially the judicial powers have been given to the Food Commissioner to be specifically appointed in each state. Cases have to be decided in a time bound manner.

However for our health, let us hope (keeping fingers crossed) that the latest legislative changes do work and improve the quality of food that comes to our tables.

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Socio Research & Reform Foundation

(A Non Government Organisation)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
Tele/Fax: +91-11-25821088, 25817157, 25722044
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in

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2 Responses to Food Safety and Standard Act 2006

  1. Jaffer Spinney says:
    October 4, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    First time here. Awesome blog and great post. Well done.

  2. Vinnie Fyall says:
    October 4, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    Excellent post. Some good points you highlight in there.

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