{"id":394415,"date":"2026-08-27T10:30:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T05:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=394415"},"modified":"2026-08-27T10:39:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T05:09:44","slug":"food-safety-in-india-from-adulteration-to-misleading-labels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/08\/27\/food-safety-in-india-from-adulteration-to-misleading-labels\/","title":{"rendered":"Food safety in India: From adulteration to misleading labels, what does the law say?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/p>\n

Food is a basic need linked to survival, health, and dignity rather than just a commodity. Food safety has become a major legal and societal concern in India, where a variety of cuisines and traditions of food thrive. From widespread adulteration in milk and spices to deceptive claims on packaged foods, the legal system has had to adapt to protect consumers. The foundation of Indian food regulation is the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006<\/a> (FSSA)<\/span>, which is overseen by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India<\/a> (FSSAI)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Meaning of Food?<\/p>\n

Section 3(1)(j<\/span>)<\/a> FSSA<\/span> defines “food” as follows:<\/p>\n

“Food means any substance, whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed, which is intended for human consumption and includes primary food to the extent defined in clause (zk), genetically modified or engineered food or food containing such ingredients, infant food, packaged drinking water, alcoholic drink, chewing gum, and any substance, including water used into the food during its manufacture, preparation or treatment but does not include any animal feed, live animals unless they are prepared or processed for placing on the market for human consumption, plants, prior to harvesting, drugs and medicinal products, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances”<\/p>\n

To simplify, food means anything that is meant for people to eat or drink, whether it is raw, partly processed, or fully processed. It includes food items, drinking water, baby food, alcoholic drinks, chewing gum, genetically modified food, and substances like water used in preparing food. However, it does not include animal feed, unprocessed plants, medicines, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances, or live animals unless they are prepared for human consumption.<\/p>\n

Why Food Safety is a Legal Issue?<\/p>\n

Food safety transcends the realm of public health and enters the domain of law because unsafe food directly implicates fundamental rights, statutory obligations, and criminal liability. In India, the legal system treats food safety as a matter of justice, accountability, and governance. Several dimensions explain why food safety is inherently a legal issue:<\/p>\n

A. Constitutional Dimension<\/p>\n