Question : REPEAL THE INFANT MILK SUBSTITUTES



(a) whether a proposal to repeal the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992 through a Modern Food Safety and Standard Bill, 2005 is under consideration of the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;and

(c) by when a final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI SUBODH KANT SAHAI)

(a) to (c): The objective of formulating a modern Food Safety and Standard Bill 2005, is to do away with the multiplicity of existing food laws and regulations and enforcement agencies and to bring them under single Act and authority proposed to be set up under this Bill. Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992 (IMS Act 1992) is one of the Food Acts/Orders which are proposed to be repealed/amended on the enactment of the proposed bill.

A Group of Ministers constituted by the Government to propose legislative and other changes required for preparing a modern Integrated Food Law, is presently considering the issue of the proposed repeal/amendment of Food Acts/Orders, including IMS Act 1992.