In a positive outcome to the report on misbranded and sub-standard food by FnB News in July 2012, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) would now levy fines against the two aforementioned offences under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011.
An official of the Maharashtra FDA admitted to FnB News, "The FSSR, 2011, has Sections stipulating the penalties to be awarded to offenders. Hence, fines will be levied for the two offences." The FnB News report was based on the experience of a customer who had bought two chapatti packs - one costing Rs 10 with no information and another at double the price but half the information printed on the label.
The official further explained, "The information we received did not contain the brand he bought and the store the customer bought it from. Every communique to the state food regulator and its units at the district level must mention every detail to help us initiate the proceedings to penalise the offender in a smooth fashion. After conducting a raid on the premises mentioned in the communique, we commence the adjudication procedure, which culminates in the imposition of the fine."
As per Section 51 of the Act, which is about the penalty for sub-standard food, any person who whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf manufactures for sale or stores or sells or distributes or imports any article of food for human consumption which is sub-standard, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to Rs 5 lakh.
According to Section 52 (1) of the Act - which pertains to the penalty for misbranded food - any person who, whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, manufactures for sale or stores or sells or distributes or imports any article of food for human consumption which is misbranded, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to Rs 3 lakh.
