The Government of India has introduced new amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011. These amendments aim to enlarges the powers of its Adjudicating Officers for purpose of adjudicating offences under the Food Safety Act, 2006. This notification was issued on October 30, 2024.
These amendments have been introduced through the Food Safety and Standards (Amendment) Rules, 2024. The rules state that the Adjudicating Officer shall now also have power to hold an inquiry for purpose of adjudicating offences the following to offences:
- providing false information and
- carrying out a business without licence
Prior to this amendment, these two offences did not fall within the powers of the adjudicating officers.
Who is an Adjudicating Officer?
An officer is an officer not below the rank of Additional District Magistrate of the district where the alleged offence is committed. He shall be notified by the State Government as the Adjudicating Officer.
The Adjudicating Officer shall have the powers of a civil court and all proceedings before him shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings and he shall be deemed to be a court.
