Chapter II - Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
Section 15
Section 15: Procedure for Scientific Committee and Scientific Panel
Section 15 sets appointment and decision procedures for the Scientific Committee and Panels.
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Statutory text
Bare law
(1) The members of the Scientific Committee, who are not members of the Scientific Panel and the members of the Scientific Panel shall be appointed by the Food Authority, for a period of three years, which shall be renewable for such period, and the vacancy notice shall be published in the relevant leading scientific publications and on theFood Authority’s website for a call for expressions of interest.
(2) The Scientific Committee and the Scientific Panel shall each choose a Chairperson from amongst their members.
(3) The Scientific Committee and the Scientific Panel shall act by a majority of their members and the views of the members shall be recorded.
(4) The procedure for the operation and co-operation of the Scientific Committee and the Scientific Panel shall be specified by regulations.
(5) These procedures shall relate in particular to–
(a) The number of times that a member can serve consecutively on a Scientific Committee or Scientific Panel;
(b) the number of members in each Scientific Panel;
(c) the procedure for re-imbursing the expenses of members of the Scientific Committee and the Scientific Panel;
(d) the manner in which tasks and requests for scientific opinions are assigned to the Scientific Committee and the Scientific Panel;
(e) The creation and organisation of the working groups of the Scientific Committee and the Scientific Panel, and the possibility of external experts being included in those working groups;
(f) The possibility of observers being invited to meetings of the Scientific Committee and the Scientific Panel;
(g) The possibility of organising public hearings; and
(h) Quorum of the meeting, meeting notice, agenda of the meeting and such other matters.
Key takeaways
Core rule
Section 15 sets appointment and decision procedures for the Scientific Committee and Panels.
Practical check
Consult the regulations for membership limits, task assignment, working groups, observers, public hearings, notice, agenda and quorum.
Scope and operation
The Food Authority appoints covered experts for renewable three-year terms after an advertised call for expressions of interest. Each body chooses its Chairperson; majority decisions and members’ views are recorded.
Applying the section
Consult the regulations for membership limits, task assignment, working groups, observers, public hearings, notice, agenda and quorum.
Decision record
Retain the appointment notice, term and renewal record, elected Chairperson, majority result and each recorded view. The procedural regulations govern assignment of scientific requests and quorum.
Official sources
Read the consolidated Act with the enacted and commenced amendments applicable to this section.
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Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026