See, it is true that whenever you buy something like a pack of chips or any other packaged food item from the market or any seller for that matter, it is your responsibility to check whether that food item is expired or not. But it just doesn’t end there, you see, if you want, you can take action against the seller as well in such a case because it is actually illegal to intentionally sell expired products, and don’t be surprised to know that there are sellers who really do that.
Legal Side Of Things About Food Safety in India
Just so you know, the main regulation or law driving food safety in India is actually the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. This significant piece of legislation guarantees that consumers across the country are able to eat healthy food by ensuring that it meets the required safety criteria no matter what. And yes, you may already know that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the one that implements this act, and its primary task is to make sure the food safety rules are followed. This includes denying any possibility of selling expired food items that could be regarded as health hazards.
What Are Those Exact Critical Sections Addressing Expired Products?
Well, you see, in the act, specific parts are directly related to addressing the sales of outdated products. Take a look at Section 50, for instance, which states that the penalties for the distribution of food should not only comply with the safety regulations prescribed but might also include fines of up to five hundred thousand rupees for handling, keeping, or selling expired items.
Additionally, Section 51 points its finger straight at the selling of faulty food products that may cover those that are past their expiration dates, also using the same kind of financial punishments methods. That’s not it though, another section that deserves special attention is Section 59 as it enforces deterrent measures for unsafe food items including expired ones, by imposing penalties ranging from 6 years behind bars to monetary fines of up to 5 lakh rupees. So, that’s that.
Enforcement and Penalties
Businesses that are caught selling expired products face very serious legal consequences and punishments in India that clearly show the regard that the Indian legal system has for food safety. Such businesses are penalized by being charged outrageously and in some instances, they are thrown behind bars, thus strongly emphasizing the fact that food safety regulations should be adhered to for consumers’ safety.
One of the most serious and recent examples showing the Indian judiciary’s proactive stance on this issue is when the Delhi High Court disallowed certain practices that were done by repackaging expired products with falsely written expiry dates. The court found this to be the trend and took the initiative to bring about a PIL which indicates the fact that the judiciary is taking consumer safety very seriously while at the same time it is being prepared to stop such malpractice, you know?
