43. Recognition and accreditation of laboratories, research institutions and referral food
laboratory.–(1) The Food Authority may notify food laboratories and research institutions accredited by
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories or any other accreditation agency
for the purposes of carrying out analysis of samples by the Food Analysts under this Act.
(2) The Food Authority shall, establish or recognise by notification, one or more referral food
laboratory or laboratories to carry out the functions entrusted to the referral food laboratory by this Act or
any rules and regulations made thereunder.
(3) The Food Authority may frame regulations specifying–
(a) the functions of food laboratory and referral food laboratory and the local area or areas within
which such functions may be carried out;
(b) the procedure for submission to the said laboratory of samples of articles of food for analysis
or tests, the forms of the laboratory’s reports thereon and the fees payable in respect of such reports;
and
(c) such other matters as may be necessary or expedient to enable the said laboratory to carry out
its functions effectively.
44. Recognition of organisation or agency for food safety audit.–The Food Authority may
recognise any organisation or agency for the purposes of food safety audit and checking compliance with
food safety management systems required under this Act or the rules and regulations made thereunder.
45. Food Analysts.–The Commissioner of Food Safety may, by notification, appoint such persons as
he thinks fit, having the qualifications prescribed by the Central Government, to be Food Analysts for
such local areas as may be assigned to them by the Commissioner of Food Safety:
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Provided that no person, who has any financial interest in the manufacture or sale of any article of
food shall be appointed to be a Food Analyst under this section:
Provided further that different Food Analysts may be appointed for different articles of food.
46. Functions of Food Analyst.–(1) On receipt of a package containing a sample for analysis from a
Food Safety Officer or any other person, the Food Analyst shall compare the seal on the container and the
outer cover with specimen impression received separately and shall note the conditions of the seal
thereon:
Provided that in case a sample container received by the Food Analyst is found to be in broken
condition or unfit for analysis, he shall within a period of seven days from the date of receipt of such
sample inform the Designated Officer about the same and send requisition to him for sending second part
of the sample.
(2) The Food Analyst shall cause to be analysed such samples of article of food as may be sent to him
by Food Safety Officer or by any other person authorised under this Act.
(3) The Food Analyst shall, within a period of fourteen days from the date of receipt of any sample
for analysis, send—
(i) where such sample is received under section 38 or section 47, to the Designated Officer, four
copies of the report indicating the method of sampling and analysis; and
(ii) where such sample is received under section 40, a copy of the report indicating the method of
sampling and analysis to the person who had purchased such article of food with a copy to the
Designated Officer:
Provided that in case the sample cannot be analysed within fourteen days of its receipt, the Food
Analyst shall inform the Designated Officer and the Commissioner of Food Safety giving reasons and
specifying the time to be taken for analysis.
(4) An appeal against the report of Food Analyst shall lie before the Designated Officer who shall, if
he so decides, refer the matter to the referral food laboratory as notified by the Food Authority for
opinion.
47. Sampling and analysis.–(1) When a Food Safety Officer takes a sample of food for analysis, he
shall–
(a) give notice in writing of his intention to have it so analysed to the person from whom he has
taken the sample and to the person, if any, whose name, address and other particulars have been
disclosed;
(b) except in special cases as may be provided by rules made under this Act, divide the sample
into four parts and mark and seal or fasten up each part in such a manner as its nature permits and
take the signature or thumb impression of the person from whom the sample has been taken in such
place and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government:
Provided that where such person refuses to sign or put his thumb impression, the Food Safety
Officer shall call upon one or more witnesses and take his signature or thumb impression, in lieu of
the signature or thumb impression of such person;
(c) (i) send one of the parts for analysis to the Food Analyst under intimation to the Designated
Officer;
(ii) send two parts to the Designated Officer for keeping these in safe custody; and
(iii) send the remaining part for analysis to an accredited laboratory, if so requested by the food
business operator, under intimation to the Designated Officer:
Provided that if the test reports received under sub-clauses (i) and (iii) are found to be at variance,
then the Designated Officer shall send one part of the sample kept in his custody, to referral laboratory for
analysis, whose decision thereon shall be final.
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(2) When a sample of any article of food or adulterant is taken, the Food Safety Officer shall, by the
immediate succeeding working day, send the sample to the Food Analyst for the area concerned for
analysis and report.
(3) Where the part of the sample sent to the Food Analyst is lost or damaged, the Designated Officer
shall, on a requisition made to him, by the Food Analyst or the Food Safety Officer, despatch one of the
parts of the sample sent to him, to the Food Analyst for analysis.
(4) An article of food or adulterant seized, unless destroyed, shall be produced before the Designated
Officer as soon as possible and in any case not later than seven days after the receipt of the report of the
Food Analyst:
Provided that if an application is made to the Designated Officer in this behalf by the person from
whom any article of food has been seized, the Designated Officer shall by order in writing direct the Food
Safety Officer to produce such article before him within such time as may be specified in the order.
(5) In case of imported articles of food, the authorised officer of the Food Authority shall take its
sample and send to the Food Analyst of notified laboratory for analysis who shall send the report within a
period of five days to the authorised officer.
(6) The Designated Officer, the Food Safety Officer, the authorised officer and the Food Analyst
shall follow such procedure as may be specified by regulations.