Food (Control and Sale) Law, 1996 (Law No. 54(I)/96).

This Law, consisting of 30 articles in its consolidated version, provides a legal basis for food hygiene and control of manufacturing and marketing of foodstuff in the country. The following relevant terms are defined: analysis or examination; human consumption; unsanitary conditions; species, excluding: living animals, birds or fish; importer; authorised officer; animal, excluding bird or fish; veterinary control; chemistry; food legislation; preparation; manufacture; standard; sale; food; food of animal origin, including: cured meats, meat preparations, milk, primary dairy products, eggs, egg products, fish, fishery products (fresh, frozen, prepared, processed or canned), frog legs (fresh or frozen), and processed intestines; food premises of animal origin; novel food; genetically modified food.
The Law establishes a Food Council, determines its powers and duties and the delegation of powers by the Director of Medical and Public Health Services and the Director of Veterinary Services; provides for prohibition of selling, preparing for sale and importing unsuitable food or food containing any noxious or poisonous substance, adulterated food, prepared under unsanitary conditions, food not of nature or substance or quality requested by the buyer; defines Ministerial powers to require the provision of information regarding the ingredients of certain foods; prohibits sellers from placing on the market any food, in a false, misleading or deceptive manner and oil in packaging that does not meet the required conditions.
Other matters covered by the Law concern: restriction on import of certain agricultural products; powers of authorised officers; veterinary services authority; municipal health services authority; handling and examination of samples; powers of Director of Medical Services and Public Health Services, including taking proper measures to inform the population in case of risk to human health arising from food; powers of customs officers; Ministerial powers to protect public health; marking of places of sale of genetically modified foods; court powers; administrative fines and violation of provisions; offences and penalties.