WHAT
AMOUNTS TO ADULTERATION OF FOOD OR DRINK INTENDED FOR SALE 'Adulteration'
means mixing with any other substance whether wholly different or of the same
kind but of inferior quality. Mere adulteration with harmless ingredients for
the purpose of getting more profit is not punishable. It is essential to show
that that an article of food or drink has been adulterated and that it was intended
to be sold, or knowing that it would be likely to be sold as food or drink. PUNISHMENT Whoever
adulterates any food or drinks intended for sale shall be punished with imprisonment
which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand
rupees, or both. Besides the CRPC the Food Adulteration Act, makes provisions
for the prevention of adulteration of food. Food inspectors appointed by the Central
and State Governments are empowered to take samples from any person selling, conveying
or delivering such article to a purchaser or consignee, and from a consignee after
receiving delivery, and send such sample to the public analyst. A purchaser
of any article of food, or a recognised consumer association, may also get an
article of food analysed by the public analyst on payment of the prescribed fees,
provided that the vendor is informed of this intended action at the time of purchase.
Thereafter, the purchaser or the consumer associations, have to follow the same
procedure as discussed above in the case of Food Inspectors. If the article of
food is found to be adulterated, the fees paid by the purchaser or the association
shall be refunded. Import, manufacture, storage, sale or distribution of
any food article which is adulterated by allowing its quality or purity to fall
below the prescribed standard, or is misbranded, or in contravention of any provision
of the Act or Rules. Penalty is minimum imprisonment of six months that may extend
upto 3 years and minimum fine of Rs 1000 under the Food Adulteration Act.
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