Section 21:
Cognizance of offences.
(1) Save as otherwise provided in section 173 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), no court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act
except upon a complaint in writing made by--
(a) a person authorised in this behalf under sub-section (1) of section 20 of the Prevention of
Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (37 of 1954); or
(b) an officer not below the rank of a Class I officer authorised in this behalf, by general or
special order, by the Government; or
(c) a representative of such voluntary organisation engaged in the field of child welfare and
development and child nutrition as the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
authorise in this behalf.
(2) Where a complaint has been made by a representative of the voluntary organisation authorised
under clause (c) of sub-section (1) and the court has issued a summons or, as the case may be, a warrant
under sub-section (1) of section 204 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the Assistant
Public Prosecutor for that court shall take charge of the case and conduct the prosecution.