Section 42:
Procedure for launching prosecution.
(1) The Food Safety Officer shall be responsible for
inspection of food business, drawing samples and sending them to Food Analyst for analysis.
(2) The Food Analyst after receiving the sample from the Food Safety Officer shall analyse the
sample and send the analysis report mentioning method of sampling and analysis within fourteen days to
Designated Officer with a copy to Commissioner of Food Safety.
(3) The Designated Officer after scrutiny of the report of Food Analyst shall decide as to whether the
contravention is punishable with imprisonment or fine only and in the case of contravention punishable
with imprisonment, he shall send his recommendations within fourteen days to the Commissioner of Food
Safety for sanctioning prosecution.
(4) The Commissioner of Food Safety shall, if he so deems fit decide, within the period prescribed by
the Central Government, as per the gravity of offence, whether the matter be referred to,--
(a) a court of ordinary jurisdiction in case of offences punishable with imprisonment for a term up
to three years; or
(b) a Special Court in case of offences punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding three
years where such Special Court is established and in case no Special Court is established, such cases
shall be tried by a Court of ordinary jurisdiction.
(5) The Commissioner of Food Safety shall communicate his decision to the Designated Officer and
the concerned Food Safety Officer who shall launch prosecution before courts of ordinary jurisdiction or
Special Court, as the case may be; and such communication shall also be sent to the purchaser if the
sample was taken under section 40.