The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act,1954
Section 16. Penalties
1[(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (I -A) it any person, –
(a) Whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, imports into India or manufactures for sale, or stores, sells or distributes any article of food
(i) Which is adulterated within the meaning of sub-clause (m) Of Cl. (i-a) of Sec. 2 or misbranded within the meaning of Cl. (ix) Of that section or the sale of which is prohibited under any provision of this Act or any rule made thereunder or by an order of the Food (Health) Authority;
(ii) Other than an article of food referred to in sub-clause (i), in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or of any rule made thereunder ; or
(b) Whether by himself or bv any other person on his behalf, imports into India or manufactures for sale, or stores, sells or distributes any adulterant which is not injurious to health; or
(c) Prevents a Food Inspector from taking a sample as authorised by this Act : or
(d) Prevents a Food Inspector from exercising any other power conferred on him by or under this Act : or
(e) Being a manufacturer of an article of food, has in his possession, or in any of- the premises occupied by him, any adulterant which is not injurious to health; or
(f) Uses any report or certificate of a test or analysis made by the Director of the Central Food Laboratory or by a public analyst or any extent thereof for the purpose of ” advertising any article of food; or
(g) Whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, gives to the vendor, a false warranty in writing in respect of any article of food sold by him, he shall, in addition to the penalty to which he may be liable under the provisions of Sec. 6, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to three years, and with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees:
Provided that-
(i) If the offence is under sub-clause (i) of Cl. (a) and is with respect to an article of food, being primary food which is adulterated due to human agency or is with respect to an article of food which is misbranded within the meaning of sub-clause (k) of Cl. (ix) of Sec. 2or
(ii) If the offence is under sub-section (ii) of Cl. (a), but not being an offence with respect to the contravention of any rule made under Cl. (a) or Cl. (g) of sub-section (I-A) of See. 23 or under Cl. (b) of sub-section (2) of See 24,
The Court may, for any adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to two years, and with fine which shall not be less than five hundred rupees:
Provided further that if offence is under sub-clause (ii) of Cl. (a) and is with respect to the contravention of any rule made under Cl. (a) or Cl. (g) of sub-section (I -A) of Sec. 23 or under Cl. (b) of sub-section (2) of Sec. 24, the Court may, for any adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months and with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.]
2[(I-A) If ” any person whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, imports into India or manufactures for sale, or stores, sells or distributes, –
(i) Any article of food which is adulterated within the meaning of any of sub- clauses (e) to (1) (I-) both inclusive) of Cl. (i-a) of Sec. 2, or
(ii) Any adulterant which is injurious in addition to the penalty to which he may be liable under the provisions of Sec.6, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to six years and with fine which shall not be less than tw
o thousand rup ees :
Provided that if such article of food or adulterant when consumed by any person is likely to cause his death or is likely to cause such harm on his body as would amount to grievous hurt within the meaning of Sec. 320 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may extend to term of life and with line which shall not be less than five thousand rupees.]
3[(i-AA) If any person in whose safe, custody any article of food has been kept under sub-section (4) of Sec. 10, tampers or in any manner interferes with such article, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years and with fine which shall not less than one thousand rupees.]
4[(l -B) If any Person in whose safe, custody any article of food has been kept under sub- section (4) of ” Sec. IO sells or distributes such article, which is found by the Magistrate before whom it is produced to be adulterated within the meaning of sub-clause (h) of Cl. (i-a) of Sec. 2 and which, when consumed by any person, is likely to cause his death or is likely to cause such harm on his body as would amount to grievous hurt within the meaning of Sec. 320 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), then, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (I -AA), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may extend to term of life and with fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees.]
(I-C) If any person contravenes the provisions of Sec. 14 or Sec. 14-A, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to six months and with fine, which shall not be less than five hundred rupees.
(I -D) If any person convicted of an offence under this Act commits a like offence afterwards, then, without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (2), the Court, before which the second or subsequent conviction takes place, may order the cancellation of the licence, if any, granted to him under this Act and thereupon such licence shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in the rules made thereunder, stand cancelled.
(2) If any person convicted of an offence under this Act commits a like offence afterwards it shall be lawful for the Court before which the second or subsequent conviction takes place to cause the offenders name and place of residence, the offence and the penalty imposed to be published at the offenders expense in such newspapers or in such other manner as the Court may direct. The expenses of such publication shall be deemed to be part of the cost attending the conviction and shall be recoverable in the same manner- as a fine.
STATE AMENDMENT
West Bengal. -In Se. 16. –
(a) In sub-section (1),,for the words “a term which shall riot be less their? Six months but which may extend to six year. And with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees.” The world ” life and shall also be liable to fine” shall be substituted:
(b) In the proviso to sub-section (1) for the worlds ” the Court may for any adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment. Impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than six months and fine of less than one thousand rupees” . The following words shall be substituted. namely:
“If the Court thinks that for any adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment a lesser sentence would serve the end of justice. The judgment the Court may impose a sentence which is less than a sentence of imprisonment for life.”
In subsection (I -B), _for the words “a term of six year and with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupee.” the words “life and shall also be liable to fine” shall be substituted. 5
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1. S
ubs. Act 34 of 1976, Sec. 12 (w.e.f. Ist April 1976),
2. Ins. by Act 34 of 1976. Sec. 12 (w.e.f.Ist April 1976).
3. Sub-section (1-A) renumbered (as sub- section I-AA) by Sec. 12 of the Act 34 of 1976 (w.e.f. 1st April. 1976 ).
4. Subs. by ibid. For sub-section (1-B) (w.e.f.1 st April. 1976).
5. Vide the West Bengal Act (XLIIof-1973) published in the Calcutta Gazette. Pt.11I No. 267. dated 29th April 1974.
