On 26 June 2026 the Centre operationalised Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 reforms affecting the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Major Legal Changes under Drugs & Cosmetics Act
- Decriminalisation of minor breaches: Certain technical and minor offences shifted from criminal prosecution to administrative penalties.
- Omission of Section 29: Section 29 (penalty up to Rs 1 lakh for using a Government Analyst’s report in advertising) removed as of 26 June 2026.
- Low‑risk cosmetics: Labelling and other minor deficiencies in low‑risk cosmetics now attract administrative penalties; offences involving spurious or adulterated cosmetics remain criminal.
- Adjudication & appeal: Statutory provision for appointment of Adjudicating Authorities and an internal appeal mechanism for time‑bound disposal of cases introduced.
Key Changes under Food Safety and Standards Act
- False complaints: Court fines for false complaints against Food Safety Officers replaced by administrative penalties.
- Interference with seized items: Imprisonment reduced from six months to three months.
- Obstruction offence: Provision for obstructing/resisting a food safety officer removed as similar conduct is covered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Implementation dates: Reforms operationalised 26 June 2026; some sources state Food Safety provisions from 1 Oct 2026 and Drugs & Cosmetics measures from 30 June 2027.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Statutes amended: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Objective stated in notification: Reduce compliance burden and ensure proportionate enforcement while retaining penal measures for serious public health risks.
- BNS linkage: Offences already covered by BNS were removed to avoid duplication of penal provisions.