SRINAGAR: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, conducted 149 inspections across the Union Territory as part of its ongoing drive to check compliance with food safety regulations, with a focus on high-risk food items such as meat, meat products and sweets.
According to officials, the inspections were carried out in the districts of Jammu, Samba, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Kathua, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla and Kupwara.
During the drive, the department collected 129 food samples for laboratory testing. These included 77 samples of prepared food, including meat and meat products, 40 samples of sweets and 12 surveillance samples of nutrition items being served at Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres.
The samples will be analysed to determine whether they meet the standards prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Officials said eight food business operators were found violating hygiene and sanitation norms under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
The violations were compounded under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, and a total penalty of Rs 11,500 was imposed on the erring operators.
The FDA directed the food business operators to rectify the deficiencies and ensure compliance with prescribed standards related to hygiene, sanitation, food handling, storage and processing.
The department said enforcement and surveillance drives will continue across the Union Territory, particularly targeting high-risk food categories, to ensure the availability of safe and quality food for consumers.
Consumers can report suspected cases of unsafe or adulterated food through the toll-free helpline 104 or by emailing [email protected].
