Consumer Protection And Harmful Food Adulteration In India: A Study Of Legal Remedies And The Role Of Forensic Science In Ensuring Food Safety

Author(s)	Ms. Charulatha. M, Mr. C. Maruthapandi
Country	India
Abstract	Food adulteration continues to pose a serious threat to public health and consumer welfare in India despite comprehensive legal frameworks such as the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This study examines the effectiveness of these laws in safeguarding consumers and highlights the critical role of forensic science—particularly forensic chemistry and toxicology—in strengthening detection, enforcement, and adjudication. While routine food testing identifies common adulterants, advanced forensic techniques enhance the reliability and evidentiary value of analytical findings. The 2025 notification designating the National Forensic Sciences University as a Referral Food Laboratory marks a significant step in integrating forensic science into food safety enforcement. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the research identifies gaps in enforcement and laboratory capacity and emphasizes that meaningful consumer protection requires forensic-driven regulation, institutional coordination, and scientific rigor as part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Keywords	Food Adulteration; FSSAI; Right to Safety; Consumer Protection; Forensic Science
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-25
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.64519

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