Law Commission recommends stricter law against food adulteration
Posted on: 19/Jan/2017 2:17:09 PM
The Law Commission of India has recommended to the Central Government that law should be amended with regard to food adulteration. It has mentioned that those involved in selling and manufacturing adulterated food products and cool drinks should be sentenced to life imprisonment.
At present, under Sections 272 and 273 of the Indian Penal Code, the guilty will be fined Rs 1000 or six months imprisonment. This section will apply only to those who sell adulterated food knowingly. At the same time under The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, punishment is harsher for lesser offences.
Moreover adulteration of foodstuffs falls under the concurrent list in the constitution. Hence apart from the central government, the state governments also have the powers to amend the laws. On this basis, the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha had amended the IPC to increase the term of imprisonment to life term.
At the same time, the courts can award lesser punishment if there are adequate and special reasons.
At present, under Sections 272 and 273 of the Indian Penal Code, the guilty will be fined Rs 1000 or six months imprisonment. This section will apply only to those who sell adulterated food knowingly. At the same time under The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, punishment is harsher for lesser offences.
Moreover adulteration of foodstuffs falls under the concurrent list in the constitution. Hence apart from the central government, the state governments also have the powers to amend the laws. On this basis, the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha had amended the IPC to increase the term of imprisonment to life term.
At the same time, the courts can award lesser punishment if there are adequate and special reasons.
