Penalties & fines
Indicative only. These illustrate how penalties are structured under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Actual amounts depend on the specific provision and circumstances — always verify against the current official text.
Sub-standard food
Penalty up to Rs 5 lakhManufacturing for sale, storing, selling, distributing or importing food that is sub-standard.
Sec51 · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 -- Chapter IX (Offences and Penalties) →Misbranded food
Penalty up to Rs 3 lakhManufacturing for sale, storing, selling, distributing or importing food that is misbranded. The Adjudicating Officer may also direct corrective action or destruction of the article.
Sec52 · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 -- Chapter IX (Offences and Penalties) →Other contraventions with no specific penalty provided
Penalty up to Rs 2 lakhAny contravention of the Act, rules or regulations for which no specific penalty is separately provided elsewhere in this chapter.
Sec58 · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 -- Chapter IX (Offences and Penalties) →Unsafe food -- no injury
Up to 6 months imprisonment + fine up to Rs 1 lakhManufacturing, storing, selling, distributing or importing unsafe food where the failure or contravention does not result in injury.
Sec59(i) · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 -- Chapter IX (Offences and Penalties) →Unsafe food -- non-grievous injury
Up to 1 year imprisonment + fine up to Rs 3 lakhWhere the failure or contravention results in a non-grievous injury.
Sec59(ii) · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 -- Chapter IX (Offences and Penalties) →Unsafe food -- grievous injury
Up to 6 years imprisonment + fine up to Rs 5 lakhWhere the failure or contravention results in a grievous injury.
Sec59(iii) · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 -- Chapter IX (Offences and Penalties) →Unsafe food -- death
Minimum 7 years imprisonment (up to life) + fine not less than Rs 10 lakhWhere the failure or contravention results in death.
Sec59(iv) · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 -- Chapter IX (Offences and Penalties) →Operating without a licence
Up to 6 months imprisonment + fine up to Rs 5 lakhManufacturing, selling, storing, distributing or importing food without the required licence (where one is required and not exempted).
Sec63 · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 -- Chapter IX (Offences and Penalties) →Understanding penalties is useful. Knowing whether your business has preventable gaps is better.
Figures are illustrative and may not reflect current amendments. This is not legal advice.