Makes its a cognizable offence
In a bid to dissuade promotion of infant milk substitutes, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory for strict compliance.
Under Section-100 of FSSAct, 2006 read with Section-21 (1) (a) Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Food (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992 (41 of 1992), also known as the ‘IMS Act’, a Designated Officer can make a written complaint before the court to take cognizance of any offence punishable under the IMS Act.
Under the Act, advertising, promotions and incentivizing the use or sale of infant milk substitutes or feeding bottles or infant foods are prohibited.
Also, the inducement to health workers for promoting use of infant milk substitutes, etc, including funding of seminars, meetings, conferences, educational courses, contests, fellowships, research work or sponsorship are also prohibited.
As a deterrent, the regulatory authority has also notified that under the IMS Act, these offences are cognizable and may lead to imprisonment upto three years.