Food Safety and Standards Laws

Food Safety and Standards Laws is a comprehensive statutory compilation that brings together the complete legal framework governing food safety in India. The book consolidates Acts, Rules, Regulations, and Orders relating to food safety and standards, providing a single, authoritative reference for understanding regulatory compliance and enforcement under Indian food law. It serves as a reliable source for statutory text without interpretation, making it suitable for both academic and professional use.

Key Features

• Complete and updated text of food safety legislation
• Consolidation of Acts, Rules, Regulations, and Orders in one volume
• Clear statutory presentation for easy reference
• Suitable for compliance, advisory, and academic purposes
• Published by a reputed legal publisher

This book is useful for advocates, food business operators, compliance professionals, regulators, law students, and academicians who require direct access to food safety laws in India. It is especially valuable for professionals dealing with licensing, inspections, enforcement, and regulatory compliance under the Food Safety and Standards framework.

PART I — INTRODUCTORY FRAMEWORK

1. Background and Legislative Purpose

• Object and scope of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

• Consolidation of food laws in India

• Establishment of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• Scientific, risk-based regulation of food safety

• Judicial interpretation of legislative intent

PART II — PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS (CHAPTER I)

2. Short Title, Extent and Commencement (Section 1)

• Name and territorial applicability

• Commencement through Government notifications

• Staggered enforcement of provisions

• Case law on enforcement and commencement

3. Declaration as to Expediency of Union Control (Section 2)

• Constitutional basis for Union control

• Public interest and regulation of food industry

• Judicial commentary on federal competence

PART III — DEFINITIONS (SECTION 3)

4. Core Definitions

• Food

• Food business

• Food business operator

• Consumer

• Advertisement

• Claim

5. Safety and Quality-Related Definitions

• Food safety

• Hazard (biological, chemical, physical)

• Extraneous matter

• Contaminant

• Food additive

• Ingredient

6. Regulatory and Administrative Definitions

• Food Authority

• Commissioner of Food Safety

• Designated Officer

• Food Safety Officer

• Food Analyst

• Food laboratory

7. Manufacturing, Trade, and Distribution

• Manufacture

• Import

• Label

• Licence

• Local area

8. Special Categories

• Infant food

• Infant milk substitute

• Misbranded food

• Sub-standard food

PART IV — INTERPRETATION THROUGH CASE LAW

9. Judicial Interpretation of “Food”

• Chewing gum

• Liquor and alcoholic beverages

• Country liquor and distilled spirits

• Tobacco, gutka, pan masala

• Water and packaged drinking water

10. Misbranding and Offences

• Meaning of misbranding

• Mandatory label disclosures

• Punishable offences under FSSA

• Relationship with Excise laws

11. Interaction with Other Laws

• Prevention of Food Adulteration Act

• IPC Sections 272–273

• Doctrine of implied repeal

• Special Act vs General Act

PART V — ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

12. Enforcement of the Act

• Dates of enforcement of different provisions

• Validity of prosecutions

• Role of Union and State authorities

13. Powers and Functions of Authorities

• FSSAI

• State Food Authorities

• Designated Officers

• Food Safety Officers

14. Sampling, Inspection and Analysis

• Sampling procedures

• Role of Food Analysts

• Accredited laboratories

• Reports and evidentiary value

PART VI — OFFENCES, LIABILITY AND PROCEDURE

15. Liability of Food Business Operators

• Compliance obligations

• Responsibility for safety and standards

• Due diligence

16. Prosecution and Procedural Safeguards

• Sanction requirements

• Protection of fundamental rights

• Judicial scrutiny of arrest and prosecution

PART VII — RULES, REGULATIONS AND ORDERS

17. Rules under the Act

• Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011

18. Major Regulations (Chronological)

• Contaminants, toxins and residues

• Laboratory and sample analysis

• Packaging and labelling

• Licensing and registration

• Import regulations

• Food recall procedure

19. Product-Specific Regulations

• Organic foods

• Alcoholic beverages

• Fortification of foods

• Health supplements and nutraceuticals

• Infant nutrition

• Vegan foods

• Ayurveda Aahara

20. Institutional Regulations

• FSSAI salaries and service conditions

• Scientific panels and committees

• Financial regulations of FSSAI

PART VIII — ADVANCED & SPECIAL TOPICS

21. Food Safety Auditing

• Food Safety Management Systems

• GMP, GHP, HACCP

22. Recovery and Distribution of Surplus Food

• Legal framework

• Social welfare objectives

23. Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children

• School-based regulations

PART IX — REFERENCE MATERIAL

24. Notifications and Orders

• Removal of difficulties orders

• Ministry notifications

25. Case Law Digest

• Supreme Court

• High Courts

• Key principles and precedents