STATE OF TAMIL NADU vs R. KRISHNAMURTHY

The Supreme Court held that the sale of gingelly oil mixed with 15% groundnut oil constitutes an adulterated article under Section 16(1)(a)(i) and Section 2(1)(a) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, regardless of the seller's claim that it was intended for external use. The Court clarified that the definition of 'food' under Section 2(v) includes any article commonly used for human consumption, irrespective of its intended use. The Court overturned the acquittal by the High Court, emphasizing that the seller's intent does not exempt the product from being classified as food under the Act.