The Role of Law in Ensuring Food Safety in India

This article describes the framework of the Indian legal system in relation to food safety and public health protection. It highlights the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the functions of FSSAI in issuing licenses, labelling and controlling food businesses. Through recent incidents of food poisoning and adulteration as examples, it explains how the authorities intervene by inspections, seizures and penalties, but also how the lack of enforcement, inadequate lab capacity and low public awareness diminish the effectiveness of these laws. The article maintains that a stronger commitment to implementation, improved testing facilities and greater awareness, especially among small vendors, are vital to effectively delivering the current legal framework to consumer safety.