SRINAGAR: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has inspected 95 street food vendors across the Jammu Division, compounded 11 cases and imposed fines totalling Rs 16,000 for violations of food safety regulations as part of a drive to improve hygiene and protect public health.
The enforcement campaign also resulted in 19 cases being recommended for adjudication under Sections 56 and 58 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, before the competent authorities, including the respective Additional Deputy Commissioners of the districts concerned, the FDA said.
As part of the drive, officials organised 17 awareness sessions to educate street food vendors about safe food handling, personal hygiene, sanitation and compliance with statutory requirements.
During inspections, officials detected unhygienic food-handling practices and the use of prohibited or unsuitable materials for packaging and serving food. In one enforcement action, food business operators destroyed 10 kg of newspapers and 20 kg of snacks on the spot. A fine of Rs 4,000 was imposed in connection with the violations, while further legal action was initiated wherever necessary.
The awareness programme emphasised maintaining personal hygiene, keeping vending premises clean, preventing food contamination, using food-grade packaging and serving materials, and ensuring the proper storage and handling of food to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
The FDA reiterated that effective food safety requires both strict enforcement and continued awareness among food business operators. It urged street food vendors to maintain prescribed sanitary conditions and ensure that food sold to consumers is safe and wholesome.
The administration said inspection, awareness and enforcement activities would continue across Jammu and Kashmir, with legal action to be taken against those found violating food safety standards.
Consumers have also been encouraged to report suspected food adulteration, unsafe food or unhygienic handling practices to the FDA via email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
