The Centre has operationalized key reforms under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, relating to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with the objective of promoting trust-based governance, reducing the compliance burden on businesses, and ensuring proportionate regulatory enforcement without compromising public health safeguards.
The amendments seek to decriminalise certain minor and technical violations by replacing criminal proceedings with administrative penalties, thereby promoting ease of doing business and improving regulatory efficiency.
At the same time, stringent provisions against offences that pose risks to public health and consumer safety will continue to remain in force.
“As part of the reforms, Section 29 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which prescribed a penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh for the use of a Government Analyst’s report for advertising any drug or cosmetic, has been omitted,” the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday.
Further, violations relating to the manufacture or sale of low-risk cosmetics have been brought under an administrative penalty framework. These include cases where a cosmetic product fails to comply with minor quality parameters or contains labelling deficiencies or errors.
However, offences involving spurious or adulterated cosmetics, which have a direct bearing on consumer safety, will continue to attract strict penal provisions under the Act.
The amendments have also converted violations under Section 28A, which primarily relate to procedural and compliance requirements such as the maintenance of records and the submission of information, into administrative offences punishable through monetary penalties.
To facilitate the effective implementation of the new framework, provisions relating to the appointment of Adjudicating Authorities and an appellate mechanism have been introduced, enabling the timely and transparent disposal of cases involving such contraventions.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, provisions relating to the imposition of court fines in cases involving false complaints against Food Safety Officers have also been converted into an administrative penalty mechanism.
“The punishment for interfering with seized items has been rationalised, with the term of imprisonment reduced from six months to three months,” the Ministry said.
Further, the provision relating to obstructing or resisting a Food Safety Officer has been omitted from the Food Safety and Standards Act, as such offences are already adequately covered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), thereby avoiding duplication in the legal framework.
The reforms introduced through the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, reflect the Government’s commitment to fostering a modern, transparent, and trust-based regulatory ecosystem.
By distinguishing between technical or procedural non-compliance and serious public health offences, the amendments seek to ensure proportionate enforcement while preserving the integrity of India’s food and drug regulatory framework.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health through robust regulation while simultaneously reducing unnecessary compliance burdens and facilitating a more efficient and business-friendly regulatory environment.