Cantonments Pure Food Act, 1966

The Cantonments Pure Food Act, 1966 is aimed at preventing food adulteration within Pakistan's cantonment areas (military-administered towns). It applies only in cantonments, not the country generally, and is enforced through local Cantonment Boards.

Section 2 defines what counts as "adulterated food" and "misbranded food" in detail — covering food that is not what it claims to be, that contains harmful or extraneous substances, that fails to meet prescribed quality standards, or that is deceptively labelled or packaged. It also defines everyday food terms like ghee, banaspati (hydrogenated vegetable fat), charbi, milk, cream, and dahi, reflecting the Act's original focus on dairy and staple foods.

Part II (Sections 3-13) sets out the core prohibitions: Section 3 bars giving a false written warranty about food sold; Section 4 prohibits mixing, colouring, staining or powdering food in ways that contravene the rules or make it injurious to health; Section 5 prohibits preparing, manufacturing, storing, or selling adulterated or misbranded food; Section 6 addresses unwholesome food; Section 7 covers food not of the quality it purports to be; Section 8 deals with pre-packed food; Section 10 specifically regulates the sale of banaspati, margarine and charbi; and Section 11 requires a licence for manufacturing, storing or selling such goods.

Part III (Sections 14-16) puts local authorities in charge of enforcement and allows appointment of Inspectors with powers to inspect premises. Part IV (Sections 17-22) establishes Public Analysts who test food samples, and gives private persons the right to have samples independently analysed (Section 19). Part V (Sections 23-32) covers penalties and procedure, including summary trials (Section 24) and the evidentiary weight given to a Public Analyst's certificate (Section 27); the extract does not state the specific fine or imprisonment amounts under Section 23. Part VI includes an indemnity for officials acting in good faith (Section 33) and the Federal Government's rule-making power (Section 35), covering matters like food standards, Inspector qualifications, labelling, and licence fees.

This is an older law from 1966, and the extract shows it has been amended (for example, by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975, which replaced references to the 'Central Government' with 'Federal Government'). Anyone needing current, specific requirements — including actual penalty amounts — should check the up-to-date official text or applicable rules.