SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted 106 inspections across busy markets and crowded areas as part of a special enforcement drive to improve street food safety, imposing fines totalling Rs 20,000 and collecting 22 food samples for laboratory testing.
According to an official handout, 18 cases were compounded during the inspections, while six cases were recommended for adjudication under Sections 56 and 58 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Inspection teams examined hygiene and sanitation standards at vending sites, including the personal cleanliness of vendors, food preparation and handling practices, and the use of food-grade utensils and cutlery.
Vendors were also advised against wrapping or serving food in newspapers, using unauthorised synthetic food colours and handling food with materials not approved for food contact, the FDA said.
The enforcement drive also covered the safe disposal and reuse of cooking oil under the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative. Officials tested used cooking oil on the spot with oil-testing meters to measure Total Polar Compounds (TPC), an indicator used to assess oil quality.
Vendors were informed that cooking oil exceeding the prescribed limit of 25 per cent TPC must not be used for food preparation and should instead be handed over to authorised aggregators.
The FDA said the campaign was intended to improve compliance with food safety regulations, raise hygiene standards among street food vendors and protect public health.
All food business operators have been directed to adhere to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Consumers have also been urged to report suspected food adulteration, unsafe food or unhygienic handling practices by emailing [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
