Chapter II - Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
Section 7
Section 7: Term of Office, salary, allowances and other conditions of service of Chairperson and Members of Food Authority
Section 7 governs tenure, service terms, oath, departure and post-office representation by the Chairperson and members.
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Need advice on Section 7?
This article is for general information. Refer to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) The Chairperson and the members other than ex officio Members shall hold office for a term of three years from the date on which they enter upon their offices, and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a further period of three years: Provided that the Chairperson shall not hold office as such after he has attained the age of sixty-five years.
(2) The salary and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson and Members other than ex officio Members shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) The Chairperson and every Member shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe to an oath of office and of secrecy in such form and in such manner and before such authority as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section the Chairperson or any Member may– (a) relinquish his office by giving in writing to the Central Government a notice of not less than three months; or (b) be removed from his office in accordance with the provisions of section 8.
(5) The Chairperson or any Member ceasing to hold office as such shall not represent any person before the Food Authority or any State Authority in any manner.
Introduction
A non ex officio Chairperson or member serves a three-year term and may be reappointed for one further three-year period. The amended proviso bars the Chairperson from continuing after age 65.
The Central Government prescribes pay and service terms. The Chairperson and every member take an office and secrecy oath; resignation requires written notice of at least three months, and removal follows section 8. A departing Chairperson or member cannot represent another person before the Food Authority or a State Authority.
Key takeaways
Term and age
Three years plus one possible three-year reappointment; Chairperson age cap 65.
Formal departure
Resignation is by written notice of at least three months, while removal follows section 8.
After office
A former Chairperson or member cannot represent a person before the named Authorities.
Check appointment duration
Use the date the person entered office, any reappointment and, for the Chairperson, the 2008-amended age proviso. Ex officio members are outside the fixed-term rule in subsection (1).
Check exit and continuing restriction
Retain the oath, resignation notice or removal order. On departure, apply the representation bar in subsection (5) when evaluating a proposed appearance before the Food Authority or a State Authority.
Official sources
Read the consolidated Act with the enacted and commenced amendments applicable to this section.
Practical checklist
Do
- Verify entry date, reappointment and Chairperson age.
- Keep written resignation and oath records.
Avoid
- Do not apply the superseded age clauses from an older Act reproduction.
Frequently asked questions
Can a former member represent a client before the Food Authority?
No. Section 7(5) bars a former Chairperson or member from representing any person before the Food Authority or a State Authority.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026