Delhi to crack down on adulterators through 'new' Act
12 May 2011
The Delhi government has decided to strictly enforce the Food Safety and Standards Act, passed by Parliament in 2006, to prevent food adulteration and regulate safety standards.
Health department officials said that although the act was passed in Parliament in 2006, the central government notified the rules for its enforcement only a few weeks ago.
State health minister A K Walia said the act has strict provisions to regulate food safety standards. He said that the Delhi government will enforce the legislation within next three months.
Under the act, the penalty for manufacturers of adulterated food items includes a of Rs1 lakh to Rs10 lakh and imprisonment of six months to life, depending on the nature of the offence, which will be adjudicated by an officer of the rank of sub-divisional magistrate.
Walia also said that under the act, all traders in food business will have to register themselves with the food department or will have to procure a licence.
''With the enforcement of the new act, food adulteration will become almost impossible as it will attract heavy fine and punishment, including life imprisonment. Since not all cases have to go to court, disposal of cases will be done faster,'' said Walia.
Under the new Act, all food business operators will have to acquire licences and get registered. Small shopkeepers will have to apply for registration, while bigger business establishments will have to acquire licences.
