The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India cannot regulate animal or cattle feed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the Delhi High Court has held, clarifying that the legislation is limited to food intended for human consumption.
Delhi High Court rules that the law applies only to food meant for human consumption
Scope of Food Safety Law Limited
The ruling came from a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, which allowed a plea filed by Godrej Agrovet Ltd..
The Court observed that the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is specifically designed to regulate food products meant for human consumption and does not extend to animal or cattle feed.
Clarification on Regulatory Jurisdiction
The Bench emphasized that FSSAI’s regulatory framework cannot be expanded beyond its statutory mandate. Since animal feed does not fall within the definition of “food” under the Act, it lies outside the authority’s jurisdiction.
This clarification is significant for stakeholders in the animal feed and agribusiness sectors, as it limits regulatory overlap and defines clear boundaries for enforcement.
Impact on Industry
The judgment provides relief to companies involved in the manufacture and distribution of animal feed, including Godrej Agrovet Ltd., by confirming that such products are not subject to FSSAI regulations under the current legal framework.
It also highlights the need for separate regulatory mechanisms, if required, to govern animal feed safety and standards.
Key Highlights
- Delhi High Court rules FSSAI cannot regulate animal feed
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 applies only to human food
- Judgment delivered by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
- Plea filed by Godrej Agrovet Ltd. allowed
- Clarifies limits of FSSAI’s regulatory jurisdiction
- Provides relief to animal feed industry stakeholders
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