SRINAGAR: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Jammu and Kashmir has stepped up food safety enforcement across Srinagar, inspecting 20 street food establishments at several locations in the city.
The inspections covered Nishat, Maki Point, Nehru Park, LD Hospital, Khyam and other areas, with teams checking compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, particularly sanitation and hygiene requirements under Schedule 4.
A special Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) drive was also carried out among street food vendors during the inspections.
Eight food business operators were compounded under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act for violating prescribed hygiene requirements. A total fine of Rs 8,000 was imposed on them.
The enforcement teams also identified around 45 litres of used or re-used edible cooking oil considered unfit for consumption. The oil was collected through an authorised RUCO aggregator for disposal.
Food business operators were directed to comply with the prescribed limits for reusing cooking oil and ensure that used oil is disposed of only through authorised aggregators.
Officials also conducted on-the-spot awareness sessions for vendors on safe food handling, personal hygiene, proper storage and the safe management of used cooking oil.
The FDA J&K said enforcement and awareness drives would continue across Srinagar, with particular attention to street food establishments and areas witnessing high public footfall.
Consumers have been advised to report instances of unsafe food to the department through the toll-free number 104 or by email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
