Chapter II - Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
Section 13
Section 13: Scientific Panels
Scientific Panels provide independent expert work in subject areas named by the Act.
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Statutory text
Bare law
(1) The Food Authority shall establish scientific panels, which shall consist of independent scientific experts.
(2) The Scientific Panel shall invite the relevant industry and consumer representatives in its deliberations.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Food Authority may establish as many Scientific Panels as it considers necessary in addition to the Panels on: (a) food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food; (b) pesticides and antibiotics residues; (c) genetically modified organisms and foods; (d) functional foods, nutraceuticals, dietetic products and other similar products; (e) biological hazards; (f) contaminants in the food chain; (g) labelling; and (h) method of sampling and analysis.
(4) The Food Authority may from time to time re-constitute the Scientific Panels by adding new members or by omitting the existing members or by changing the name of the panel as the case may be.
Key takeaways
Core rule
Scientific Panels provide independent expert work in subject areas named by the Act.
Practical check
For an opinion, identify the responsible panel and its experts. The Authority may establish further panels and reconstitute them.
Scope and operation
The Food Authority establishes the panels; relevant industry and consumer representatives are invited to deliberations. Topics include additives, residues, genetically modified organisms, special foods, hazards, contaminants, labelling and sampling methods.
Applying the section
For an opinion, identify the responsible panel and its experts. The Authority may establish further panels and reconstitute them.
Official sources
Read the consolidated Act with the enacted and commenced amendments applicable to this section.
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Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026