If you suspect that some adulterated food is being sold at certain store, you have mainly THREE remedies.
1. Send a written Complaint to Food Inspector for the area
His name and area has to be notified in gazetted notification. He works under Manciple Corporation or such local authority. On Internet, you may be able to get details.
2. You can ask nearby Central Food Laboratory about quantity of item required to be sent by parcel (Usually 150 or 300 grams) and fees to be sent for analysis.
You are entitled to send sample for food analysis if Area Food Inspector is not doing his duty. A list of Central Food Laboratory is available on Internet.
(In 1980 when in Gujarat, I had send a sample of spices of 150 grams and Rs.50 to Bhuj Central Laboratory in Gujarat. An analysis report was received in a month. I am not aware about present fees.)
If Food Laboratory tells you that sample is adulterated, you can again write to Food Inspector with report.
In fact, laboratory may also send a copy of report to your area food inspector for taking further samples.
3. You can also privately prosecute any store-keeper for selling adulterated food. You have as much power as those of Food Inspector, to take samples and prosecute sellers.
But then, you have to follow all rules of taking sample, which a food inspector is bound to follow. Though Law gives such powers, this is not advisable unless assisted by lawyer.
Haresh Raichura
4th June,2012
