Amid alarming reports of large-scale recovery of rotten and substandard mutton and other food items across the Union Territory, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday directed exemplary punishment for those found selling unsafe food.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the ongoing food safety enforcement campaign, launched in the wake of recent seizures—particularly in the Kashmir Valley—Abdullah called for strict action under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
“The gravity of the problem seems to have remained unchecked for too long. Unscrupulous elements have played with the health and lives of people. This must stop, and those deliberately endangering public health must face the full force of the law,” the Chief Minister said.
He appreciated officials for initiating the crackdown and “exposing the dangerous rot in our food chain,” emphasising that public health cannot be compromised under any circumstances.
“The drive will continue. An audit of the concerned departments will be conducted, and mechanisms will be put in place to prevent the import, sale, and use of unhygienic meat and other food items,” he added.
To strengthen quality control, the Chief Minister ordered the establishment of entry-point check posts and testing laboratories at Lakhanpur and Qazigund to screen mutton, chicken, and other perishable goods entering Jammu and Kashmir. He also directed the setting up of food testing laboratories at every district headquarters, replacing the current system where such facilities are available only in Jammu and Srinagar.
“No meat should be sold or used without proper safety clearance,” he asserted.
Abdullah further directed the strengthening of the Food Safety and Drugs Organization to enable rigorous monitoring and prompt action against violators.
He also called for intensified inspection drives across all districts, instructing Deputy Commissioners to personally lead surprise market inspections to ensure strict adherence to hygiene and safety norms. All mobile food testing vans were ordered to be deployed immediately in support of these operations.
While acknowledging growing public and media concern, the Chief Minister urged citizens to report violations to authorities rather than resort to vigilantism. He cautioned against taking the law into one’s own hands and instructed the Food Safety Department to coordinate with police for surprise raids, while ensuring that law-abiding traders are not harassed.
The Chief Minister also ordered the mandatory registration and licensing of all food distributors, traders, and vendors, placing them within a formal regulatory framework. An inter-departmental committee will be constituted to ensure coordinated enforcement, particularly for the sale of safe, hygienic, fresh, and properly labelled perishable items like meat and poultry.
Departments have been instructed to verify that meat supplies originate from certified sources, ensure proper cold chain maintenance, and confirm that cold storage facilities are equipped with deep-freezing systems. Abdullah also expressed serious concern over the use of unauthorised chemicals, synthetic additives, and colouring agents, warning of their dangerous health implications.
Senior health experts, including the Director of SKIMS and the Principal of GMC Srinagar, briefed the meeting on the health hazards posed by food adulteration. They also called for awareness campaigns to promote better food habits and curb the rising prevalence of chronic illnesses.
Key Officials Attend High-Level Meeting
The meeting was attended by:
Health & Education Minister Sakina Itoo
Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmed Dar
Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Satish Sharma
Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo
Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta
Principal Secretary Agriculture Shailender Kumar
Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Vikramjeet Singh
Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA Saurabh Bhagat
Secretary Health & Medical Education Dr Abid Rashid Shah
Director SKIMS Dr M. Ashraf Ganai
Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Iffat Hassan
Commissioner Food Safety Smita Sethi, among other senior officials.
Dr Abid Rashid Shah presented a detailed briefing on recent enforcement activities, seizures of unsafe meat and poultry, penalties prescribed under the law, and the roles of various departments involved—including Food Safety, Civil Supplies, Agriculture, Industries & Commerce, Home, Housing & Urban Development, and District Administration.
He also outlined a 30-day immediate action plan, which includes:
- Mapping all food businesses and vendors
- Intensifying inspection drives
- Launching public reporting via the “Dial 104” helpline
- Promoting community engagement
- Operationalising entry check posts at Lakhanpur and Qazigund
CM Reiterates Government’s Commitment to Public Health
Concluding the meeting, Omar Abdullah reiterated the government’s commitment to take coordinated and sustained action against violations in the sale, storage, and distribution of perishable food items—particularly meat, meat-based products, and dairy—ensuring the highest standards of consumer safety and public health.
He also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and refrain from purchasing processed meat from unauthorised vendors.
Rotten Meat Seizures Continue Unabated Across J&K
As the crackdown intensifies, the recovery of substandard food items continues unabated across Jammu and Kashmir.
On Monday, over 20 quintals of rotten meat were seized in Kupwara town. Earlier, large quantities of spoiled mutton, kebabs, chicken, and fish were recovered from various parts of the Union Territory. In Jammu’s Bishnah area, nearly 50 tonnes of adulterated rasgulla were confiscated. Additionally, eight quintals of contaminated cheese were recovered from Bagh-e-Bahu in Jammu.
EOM
