Consumer activists seek changes in Food Safety Bill

Consumer activists feel that the Food Safety and Standard Bill 2005 that has been tabled in the Parliament needs to be more clear-cut to help prosecute violators.

A key feature that needs to be incorporated is a body that could help wronged consumers receive compensation in a timely manner, they say.

Bejon Misra, CEO of Consumer Voice, a consumer organisation, told a press conference today that consumer organisations are pressing for changes to make the rules unambiguous and more helpful to consumers. The Food Safety Bill is expected to be taken up by the Parliament once again in the next session.

Misra feels that the Bill has two significant shortcomings. The government arm, in-charge of promoting food processing industry, has been entrusted with the responsibility of drafting the Bill.

Misra believes that there is a conflict of interest here because the arm of the government that is responsible for promoting the industry is also working on the law to protect consumers from the industry's violations.

A clear-cut set of rules to enable prosecution of violators is important, he says. In addition, there needs to be a body under the health ministry to help consumers get compensation from violators without having to approach the judiciary.

Misra feels that the time-consuming judicial process makes it important to have a body outside the judiciary that can help consumers.