Punishment for illegal possession in small quantity for personal consumption of any article of food injurious to health or consumption of such article of food

(1) whoever, in contravention of provisions of this Chapter, possesses in a small quantity, any article of food injurious to health which is proved to have been intended for his personal consumption and not for sale or distribution, or consumes any such food, shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, be punishable with fine not exceeding Rs. 1,000. (2) An offence committed under sub-section (1) may, before the institution of the prosecution, be compounded by such officer as may be authorized by the Government, on payment, for credit to the Government, for first such offence an amount not less than Rs. 500 and for any second and subsequent offences with an amount not less than Rs. 1,000. Explanation:— For the purposes of this section, “small quantity” means a packet, or a sachet, or a pouch, containing not more than ten grams of the injurious food articles. (3) Where an offence has been compounded under sub-section (1), no further proceedings shall be taken against any such offender in respect of such offence, except keeping a record of the same with the concerned Department.