Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 reforms operationalised in health sector: minor offences under drugs and food safety laws rationalised
The Health Ministry said on 26 June 2026 that reforms under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 have been operationalised, replacing criminal proceedings for minor violations with administrative penalties.
Summary
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on 26 June 2026 that the Government has operationalised reforms under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 relating to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Section 29 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which prescribed a penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh for using a Government Analyst's report to advertise a drug or cosmetic, has been omitted, and procedural violations under Section 28A now attract administrative penalties, with Adjudicating Authorities and an appeal mechanism. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, imprisonment for interfering with seized items has been cut from six months to three months, and the provision on obstructing a Food Safety Officer has been omitted because the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita already covers it. Offences involving spurious or adulterated cosmetics continue to attract strict penal provisions.
Key facts
- Law
- Jan Vishwas Act, 2026
- D&C Act Section 29
- Omitted (penalty up to Rs 1 lakh for advertising using a Government Analyst's report)
- D&C Act Section 28A
- Converted to administrative penalties
- FSS Act
- Interfering with seized items: imprisonment cut from 6 to 3 months; obstruction provision omitted (covered by BNS)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Section 29 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, omitted under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 reforms operationalised in June 2026, had penalised:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Use of a Government Analyst's report for advertising a drug or cosmetic
Section 29 prescribed a penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh for the use of a Government Analyst's report for advertising any drug or cosmetic; it has been omitted.
Under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the imprisonment term for interfering with seized items was changed:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — From 6 months to 3 months
The punishment for interfering with seized items has been rationalised, with imprisonment reduced from six months to three months.