In a major step toward trust-based governance, the Government of India has operationalised key reforms under the Jan VishwasAct, 2026. The initiative rationalises minor offences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, significantly reducing the compliance burden for businesses while protecting public health.
The landmark reforms decriminalise minor, technical, and procedural violations such as basic record-keeping gaps or minor cosmetic labelling errors,replacing criminal proceedings with administrative penalties. Notably, Section 29 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act has been completely omitted. For food safety, duplicate provisions regarding obstructing officers have been removed to align with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). To ensure smooth implementation, the government has introduced dedicated Adjudicating Authorities and a transparent appeal mechanism.
Crucially, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare emphasized that strict criminal laws remain firmly in place for serious offences involving spurious or adulterated products that risk consumer safety. This balanced approach slashes unnecessary legal hurdles for compliant businesses, fostering a modern, transparent, and highly efficient regulatory ecosystem in India’s food and pharma sectors.
Written by: Pragna Biswas
Graphics by: Pramit Hazra
