Lower House endorses 2015 draft food law

AMMAN — The Lower House on Tuesday passed the 2015 draft food law, which imposes a fine of up to JD10,000 and a prison term not exceeding three years on those who trade, market or promote counterfeit and unlicensed food products.

A fine of between JD1,000 and JD5,000 will be imposed on persons trading or promoting counterfeit and unlicensed food products for the first time under MPs’ amendments to Article 22 of the law. 

For repeat offenders, the prison term will range from three months to a year in addition to a JD5,000 to JD10,000 fine.

A person caught trading a food item unfit for human consumption for the first time will be punished by a prison term ranging from six months to three years and fined between JD3,000 and JD5,000, according to the law, which also stipulates the closure of the facility, increasing the value of the fine and doubling the prison term should the violation be repeated. 

As stipulated in the law, a higher committee will be established within the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), tasked with drawing up food-monitoring policies, defining the licensing requirements for facilities trading and selling food products, and accrediting food-testing procedures.  

During last week’s session, deputies endorsed an article in the law under which the JFDA director can publish the names of violating institutions in local dailies with expenses covered by the violators.

When the Lower House started deliberations over the legislation last Sunday, MPs  decided to change its name from “food control law” to “food law”.