Jammu and Kashmir recorded 664 instances of non-conforming food samples during the 2025-26 fiscal year, alongside the initiation of 1,368 civil cases and the securing of 14 convictions under food safety legislation. These figures emerge from the Union government’s latest data submitted to the Lok Sabha concerning food adulteration.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare presented this information in a written response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1093, addressing concerns about food item adulteration. The question was posed by Member of Parliament Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje.
The provisional data for 2025-26 indicates that out of a total of 6,546 food samples analysed within Jammu and Kashmir, 664 were identified as non-conforming. Authorities subsequently launched 1,368 civil cases and achieved 14 convictions within the specified period. This signifies a concerted effort by regulatory bodies to enforce food safety standards across the Union Territory.
In the neighbouring Union Territory of Ladakh, the analysis of 519 food samples revealed 26 to be non-conforming. While 12 civil cases were initiated, no convictions were reported for Ladakh during the same fiscal year. The contrasting conviction rates highlight potential variations in enforcement mechanisms or case complexities between the two Union Territories.
Nationwide, the data presented by the Ministry highlights a broader trend of food safety challenges. State and Union Territory Food Safety Authorities collectively analysed 2,23,808 food samples during 2025-26. Out of these, a significant 40,023 samples were found to be non-conforming, leading to the initiation of 31,878 civil cases and the successful securing of 1,918 convictions. The Ministry has emphasized that the figures for 2025-26 are provisional and subject to potential revisions following further laboratory examinations and judicial proceedings.
The parliamentary reply also provided comparative data for the preceding two fiscal years. In 2024-25, Jammu and Kashmir analysed 6,955 food samples, with 651 found to be non-conforming. During this period, 1,239 civil cases were initiated, and 29 convictions were recorded. Ladakh, in the same year, analysed 417 samples, detected 45 non-conforming ones, initiated 38 civil cases, and reported no convictions.
The enforcement data for 2023-24 further illustrates the ongoing efforts to combat food adulteration. Jammu and Kashmir analysed 9,057 food samples, identifying 750 as non-conforming, which led to the initiation of 1,612 civil cases and the securing of 22 convictions. Ladakh analysed 638 samples, finding 11 non-conforming, initiating 19 civil cases, and recording no convictions during that year.
The Ministry’s submission of this state and Union Territory-wise enforcement data to the Lok Sabha serves as part of its ongoing response regarding actions taken against non-conforming food products. These actions are carried out under the overarching framework of the Food Safety and Standards Act, which aims to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for consumers across India.
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