Section 4: Power of Minister to obtain particulars in respect of certain substances

(1) Where any person carries on any business in the course of which any substance-
(a) is used in the preparation of any food, drug or cosmetic; or
(b) is imported, produced or sold for use in the preparation of any food, drug or cosmetic, the Minister or any person authorised by the Minister in that behalf may serve on that person a notice requiring him to furnish to the Minister within such time as may be specified in the notice such particulars as may be so specified in respect of every substance which, being a substance or a substance of a class specified in the notice, is in the course of that business used as mentioned in paragraph (a) of this subsection or imported, produced or sold for use as mentioned in paragraph (b) of this subsection.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, a notice under that subsection may in particular require the furnishing of the following particulars of any substance to which it applies, that is to say-
(a) particulars of the composition of the substance and the chemical formula of every ingredient thereof;
(b) particulars of the manner in which the substance is used or intended to be used in the preparation of any food, drug or cosmetic;
(c) particulars of-
(i) any investigations (and over what period of time) carried out by or on behalf and to the knowledge of the person carrying on the business for the purpose of determining whether or not the substance or any product produced when the substance is used as mentioned in paragraph (b) of this subsection is injurious to or otherwise affects health, and the result of any such investigations.
(ii) any investigations or inquiries (and over what period or time) carried out by or on behalf and to the knowledge of the person carrying on the business for the purpose of determining the cumulative effect on the health of any person consuming in ordinary quantities that substance or any product produced when the substance is used as mentioned in paragraph(b) of this subsection.
(3) No person shall disclose any information supplied to the Minister in pursuance of a notice under subsection (1) of this section except-
(a) with the written consent of the person who supplied the information; or
(b) in accordance with the directions of the Minister; or
(c) for the purposes of any proceedings under this Act.