The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 — back to Table of Contents
Section 5. Composition of Food Authority and qualifications for appointment of its Chairperson and other Members
The Food Authority consists of a Chairperson and twenty-two Members, at least one-third of whom must be women: seven ex officio Members not below Joint Secretary rank representing the Ministries/Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Food Processing, Health, Legislative Affairs and Small Scale Industries; two representatives of the food industry (one from small-scale industry); two representatives of consumer organisations; three eminent food technologists or scientists; five members representing the States/Union territories, rotated every three years from the zones in the First Schedule; two representatives of farmers’ organisations; and one representative of retailers’ organisations.
Appointments must secure the highest standards of competence, a broad range of expertise, and the broadest possible geographic distribution. The Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government from persons of eminence in food science, or from administrators holding or having held a rank not below Secretary to the Government of India.
The Chairperson and Members, other than ex officio Members, are appointed on the recommendation of the Selection Committee, and the Chairperson may not hold any other office.
