IndiaI was sold adulterated food. What penalties apply?
Selling adulterated food in India is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment up to 6 months and/or a fine up to ₹1 lakh for first offence; repeat offences attract harsher penalties including up to 3 years’ jail and ₹10 lakh fine.
What the Law Says
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) is the primary law governing food safety in India. It strictly prohibits the sale of adulterated food and prescribes graded penalties based on whether it is a first or subsequent offence.
Under Section 27 of the FSS Act, 2006, any person who sells, distributes, imports, manufactures, or stores adulterated food commits an offence. Adulteration includes mixing inferior or harmful substances, removing valuable constituents, or using unsafe additives.
The punishment varies: for a first offence, the penalty is imprisonment up to six months and/or a fine up to one lakh rupees. For second or subsequent convictions, the punishment escalates to imprisonment up to three years and/or a fine up to ten lakh rupees.
Additionally, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) may cancel or suspend the offender’s food business licence under Section 39 of the Act, and the court may order forfeiture of adulterated food and related equipment.
Statutory TextWhoever, whether by himself or by any other person acting on his behalf, imports, manufactures, stores, sells or distributes any article of food which is adulterated… shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and also with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.
— Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, s. 27(1) — Penalties for adulteration
Statutory TextOn second or subsequent conviction… the person shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and also with fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
— Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, s. 27(2) — Enhanced penalty for repeat offence
What to Do
File a written complaint with your local Food Safety Officer (FSO) or through the FSSAI portal (https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in) or mobile app 'Food Safety Connect'.
Preserve evidence: keep the food item, packaging, bill/receipt, and photos/videos.
Request a laboratory test report from a FSSAI-notified lab — the FSO must arrange this free of cost upon complaint.
If the report confirms adulteration, the FSO will initiate prosecution under Section 27; you may be called as a witness.
You may also file a consumer complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for compensation (up to ₹1 crore) under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.