Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 274
Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale
Whoever adulterates any article of food or drink, so as to make such article noxious as food or drink, intending to sell such article as food or drink, or knowing it to be likely that the same will be sold as food or drink, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Why this exists
Consumers trust that food and drink sold to them is safe to consume; this section, continuing the old IPC Section 272, targets the deliberate act of making food or drink harmful before it reaches the market, protecting public health and consumer trust in the food supply.