Food Safety and Standards Act

The Union Ministry of Health has requested the Supreme court to grant it more time to implement the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, aimed at regulating supply and sale of packed food products. According to the ministry, it would be able to implement the Act by the end of 2009. It would be done in phases because the government needs to put the infrastructure in place before notifying the Act for initiating prosecution against the companies which do not follow the norms. The Act would replace the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.