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Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

This is the foundation law behind almost everything else on this site: FSSAI's existence, food business licensing, the meaning of 'adulterant' and 'unsafe food', and the penalty structure for violations.

In force Act, 2006

Last verified:

What it covers

The umbrella law for food regulation in India. It establishes FSSAI, defines unsafe, misbranded, sub-standard and adulterated food, and sets out licensing, inspection, offences and penalties.

Duties on businesses

  • Ensure food satisfies the Act and its rules/regulations at every stage: production, processing, import, distribution and sale (section 26).
  • Hold a valid licence or registration before commencing a food business (section 31).
  • Manufacturers/packers are liable for food that does not meet requirements; wholesalers, distributors and sellers have their own defined liabilities, including for expired, unsafe or misbranded food (section 27).
  • Initiate a food recall where a food business operator considers its food may be unsafe (section 28).

Rights for consumers

  • A purchaser (other than a Food Safety Officer) may have an article of food analysed by a Food Analyst on payment of a fee, provided the seller is told of this intention at the time of purchase (section 40).
  • Compensation can be directed for injury or death caused by unsafe food, decided by an Adjudicating Officer or court on a case-by-case basis under the Act (section 65).

Authorities

  • FSSAI (Food Authority)
  • State food safety departments and Designated/Food Safety Officers

How to complain under this law

Use FSSAI's Food Safety Connect portal or app, or your state food safety department, to report suspected violations. See our How to complain guide for step-by-step routes.

Official text: https://fssai.gov.in/ (opens in a new tab)