Food Safety As Consumer Protection: Bridging Regulatory Governance And Consumer Justice In India
- IJLLR Journal
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Sheena Das N.M., Research Scholar, SOL, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science, Padur, Chennai.
Dr. V.R. DINKAR, Dean & Supervisor, SOL, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science, Padur, Chennai.
ABSTRACT
Food safety has emerged as a significant legal and public health concern due to increasing incidents of food adulteration, contamination, misbranding, and deceptive marketing practices. The growing complexity of food supply chains and changing consumer preferences have heightened the need for effective regulatory oversight and consumer protection mechanisms. In India, consumer welfare in the food sector is primarily governed by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. While the former establishes a comprehensive framework for ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food, the latter provides remedies against defective products, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements. This article examines the relationship between these two legislative frameworks and evaluates their collective role in protecting consumers from food-related harm. Adopting a doctrinal methodology, the study analyses constitutional provisions, statutory enactments, judicial decisions, international standards, and regulatory instruments relating to food safety and consumer welfare. The article argues that food safety and consumer protection are no longer distinct regulatory domains but complementary legal regimes that advance public health, accountability, transparency, and consumer justice. It further contends that effective coordination between regulatory authorities and consumer redressal institutions is essential for addressing contemporary challenges in the food sector. The study concludes by recommending a more consumer-centric approach to food governance through stronger enforcement, improved regulatory coordination, and enhanced accountability of food business operators.
Keywords: Food Safety; Consumer Protection; Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; Consumer Protection Act, 2019; Product Liability; Right to Health; Consumer Rights.
