Srinagar, Aug 11: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), in coordination with the Food Safety Department and the Legal Metrology Department, has seized around 120 quintals of rotten meat and other unsafe food items across Jammu and Kashmir during recent enforcement drives, according to FDA Commissioner Smita Sethi.
Smita Sethi, FDA Commissioner, told Asian News Hub that while rotten meat is not found everywhere, enforcement teams have identified several issues. “There are two to three main concerns, the use of harmful synthetic colours in items like kababs e.t.c; lack of proper cold storage facilities, and unhygienic storage conditions,” she said.
She added that wherever improvement is possible, the department issues improvement notices, but in serious cases, strict legal action is taken.
CM Omar Declares War on Unsafe Meat Mafia; Orders Raids, Criminal Action
The Commissioner confirmed that a large number of samples have been collected. “The reports take about 13 to 14 days,” she noted.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while chairing a high-level meeting on food safety, said the government will not tolerate the “unsafe meat mafia” and has directed enforcement agencies to intensify raids and initiate criminal proceedings against violators. He stressed that protecting public health is a top priority and warned that those endangering lives for profit will face the strictest punishment.
The seized food items, particularly those containing harmful synthetic colours, have been destroyed by the authorities.
