ORDER

This petition is filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to quash the criminal proceedings initiated by the Food Safety Officer, the respondent herein under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, against the petitioners, who are the Retailer, Distributor and Manufacturer respectively of a food product 'STK Brand Gingelly Oil'.

2.The respondent herein has filed a compliant before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Ambasamuthram, Tirunelveli District, against the petitioners herein for the offences under Sections 51, 55 and 63 r/w. Sections 3(1)(zx), 26(1), 26(2)(ii)(iii)(v), 27(1) and 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulation 2.2.1(12) of the Food Safety and Standards [Food Products Standards and Food Additives] Regulations, 2011 and Regulation 2.1.2(1) of the Food Safety and Standards [Licensing and Registration of Food Business] Regulations, 2011. The said complaint was taken cognizance by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Ambsamuthram, as C.C.No.263 of 2014.

3.In the said complaint, the respondent has stated that on 28.12.2013 at 11.30 a.m., he inspected the shop of the first petitioner and after introducing himself as a Food Safety Officer of that Region, enquired a