IPC Section 272: Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 14: Offences affecting the Public health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
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 one thousand rupees, or with both.
CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE
Punishment-Imprisonment for 6 months, or fine of 1,000 rupees, or both-Non-Cognizable-Bailable-Triable by any Magistrate-Non-compoundable.
STATE AMENDMENTS
Orissa
In section 272 for the words "shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both", the following shall be substituted, namely:-
"shall be punished with imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine:
Provided that the Court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment which is less than imprisonment for life."
[Vide Orissa Act 3 of 1999, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 27-1-1999)].
Uttar Pradesh
In section 272 for the words "shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both" the following shall be substituted, namely:-
"shall be punished with imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine:
Provided that the court may, for adequate reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment which is less than imprisonment for life."
[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 47 of 1975, sec. 3 (w.e.f. 15-9-1975)].
West Bengal
In section 272 for the words "of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both" the following shall be substituted, namely:-
"for life with or without fine:
Provided that the Court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment which is
less than imprisonment for life."
[Vide West Bengal Act 42 of 1973, sec. 3 (w.e.f. 29-4-1973)].
Bare act text for reference, current to 30 June 2024. It is not legal advice; check the official gazette for authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 268. Public nuisance
- 269. Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
- 270. Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
- 271. Disobedience to quarantine rule
- 273. Sale of noxious food or drink
- 274. Adulteration of drugs
- 275. Sale of adulterated drugs
- 276. Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation
- 277. Fouling water of public spring or reservoir
- 278. Making atmosphere noxious to health
- 279. Rash driving or riding on a public way
- 280. Rash navigation of vessel
- 281. Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy
- 282. Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
- 283. Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation
- 284. Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance
- 285. Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter
- 286. Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance
- 287. Negligent conduct with respect to machinery
- 288. Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings
- 289. Negligent conduct with respect to animal
- 290. Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for
- 291. Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue
- 292. Sale, etc., or obscene books, etc
- 293. Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person
- 294. Obscene acts and songs
- 294A. Keeping lottery office