Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale
Full Text
Whoever adulterates any article of food or drink, so as to make such article noxious as food or drink, intending to sell such article as food or drink, or knowing it to be likely that the same will be sold as food or drink, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Plain English Summary
Punishes anyone who adulterates any food or drink to make it harmful/noxious, with the intent or knowledge that it will be sold for consumption.
Key Legal Elements
- Adulteration of an article of food or drink.
- The adulteration renders the article noxious (harmful) as food or drink.
- Accused intended to sell it or knew it was likely to be sold as food or drink.
Punishment
Imprisonment of either description up to 6 months, or fine up to 5,000 rupees, or both.
Practical Note
To convict under this section, the adulterated food/drink must be proven to be 'noxious' (harmful to health). Merely mixing water with milk does not fall here unless it becomes noxious. Note that several Indian states (e.g. UP, West Bengal, Odisha) have local amendments making food adulteration a much more severe, non-bailable offense. The central provision is non-cognizable and bailable.
हिंदी पाठ
जो कोई किसी खाद्य या पेय वस्तु में इस आशय से अपमिश्रण करेगा कि वह वस्तु खाद्य या पेय के रूप में बेची जाए या यह जानते हुए अपमिश्रण करेगा कि यह सम्भाव्य है कि वह वस्तु खाद्य या पेय के रूप में बेची जाएगी, जिससे वह वस्तु खाद्य या पेय के रूप में अपायकर बन जाए, वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि छह मास तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, जो पांच हजार रुपये तक का हो सकेगा, या दोनों से, दंडित किया जाएगा।