In the latest case, pulses meant for birds & animals were sold by a businessman to customers
There has been a significant jump in convictions and the quantum of punishment in cases of food adulteration in the Capital this year so far compared to last year.
The latest is the case of pulses meant for consumption by birds and animalsbeing sold by a businessman to his customers. The case dragged on for over 11 years and eventually, the 72-year-old accused was convicted and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. Besides a Rs.50,000 fine was imposed on him under Section 16 (1A) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA).
“The accused/convict cannot be allowed to play with the life and health of innocent customers,” said Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Rao at Patiala House court recently, while pronouncing judgment in the case pursued by Special Public Prosecutor Masood Ahmad.
‘Boondi laddoo’ case
In another case pertaining to excessive use of synthetic food colour in ‘boondi laddoo,’ the same court convicted the accused and sentenced him to undergo simple imprisonment for four years. “Excess of Tartrazine can cause blindness, cancer and can also lead to death… this is nothing but playing with the life of innocent consumers,” the court held.
The quantum of punishment in these cases is much above the one awarded in previous cases, which ranged from six to 18 months.
Of the 87 cases the court dealt with till August, the accused persons have been convicted in 69 cases. The figure is much higher in comparison with a measly 29 convictions last year during the same period. In 2013, there were 39 convictions.
22 convictions in March
Most of the convictions (22) were recorded in March. According to government statistics, 33 of the cases pertained to alleged adulteration in ‘arhar dal’ and most of the accused were held guilty. While the court convicted the accused in several cases pertaining to sale of ‘boondi laddoo,’ ‘paneer’ and other pulses, in most cases of alleged adulteration in milk the accused persons were acquitted.
Nearly, 900 cases of food adulteration are presently at the trial stage in the Capital.
“Acquittals in milk-related cases are being attributed to Supreme Court judgments in 1979 and in 2009, as per which the “Gerber” method adopted by the Food Safety department to check the level of adulteration in milk has been faulted. There is a need for the authorities concerned either to seek a review of the judgments in question or rely on other prescribed methods to ensure that those who indulge in such an offence are brought to book,” said an official.
According to Section 16 of the PFA, the punishment for those found guilty ranges from three months to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence. Under the new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, there is a provision for a minimum six months to a maximum of life imprisonment.
There has been a significant jump in convictions and the quantum of punishment in cases of food adulteration in the Capital this year so far compared to last year.
The latest is the case of pulses meant for consumption by birds and animalsbeing sold by a businessman to his customers. The case dragged on for over 11 years and eventually, the 72-year-old accused was convicted and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. Besides a Rs.50,000 fine was imposed on him under Section 16 (1A) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA).
“The accused/convict cannot be allowed to play with the life and health of innocent customers,” said Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Rao at Patiala House court recently, while pronouncing judgment in the case pursued by Special Public Prosecutor Masood Ahmad.
‘Boondi laddoo’ case
In another case pertaining to excessive use of synthetic food colour in ‘boondi laddoo,’ the same court convicted the accused and sentenced him to undergo simple imprisonment for four years. “Excess of Tartrazine can cause blindness, cancer and can also lead to death… this is nothing but playing with the life of innocent consumers,” the court held.
The quantum of punishment in these cases is much above the one awarded in previous cases, which ranged from six to 18 months.
Of the 87 cases the court dealt with till August, the accused persons have been convicted in 69 cases. The figure is much higher in comparison with a measly 29 convictions last year during the same period. In 2013, there were 39 convictions.
22 convictions in March
Most of the convictions (22) were recorded in March. According to government statistics, 33 of the cases pertained to alleged adulteration in ‘arhar dal’ and most of the accused were held guilty. While the court convicted the accused in several cases pertaining to sale of ‘boondi laddoo,’ ‘paneer’ and other pulses, in most cases of alleged adulteration in milk the accused persons were acquitted.
Nearly, 900 cases of food adulteration are presently at the trial stage in the Capital.
“Acquittals in milk-related cases are being attributed to Supreme Court judgments in 1979 and in 2009, as per which the “Gerber” method adopted by the Food Safety department to check the level of adulteration in milk has been faulted. There is a need for the authorities concerned either to seek a review of the judgments in question or rely on other prescribed methods to ensure that those who indulge in such an offence are brought to book,” said an official.
According to Section 16 of the PFA, the punishment for those found guilty ranges from three months to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence. Under the new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, there is a provision for a minimum six months to a maximum of life imprisonment.
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