PEPSICO INDIA HOLDINGS PVT.LTD. vs FOOD INSPECTOR

The Supreme Court addressed the maintainability of criminal prosecutions against Pepsico India Holdings Pvt. Ltd. under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, specifically examining Section 23(1-A)(hh) and Section 2(ia)(h). The Court held that prosecutions cannot be sustained without a validated method of analysis for pesticide residues, rendering the Public Analyst's report unreliable. Consequently, the Court quashed the proceedings initiated against the Appellants, emphasizing the necessity of adherence to statutory requirements for valid prosecution.