SRINAGAR: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of Jammu and Kashmir has enforced a complete ban on the sale of a specific batch of snack dressing under the brand Nirmal Fruits Products throughout the Union Territory. This decisive action follows a declaration by the National Food Laboratory (NFL) in Ghaziabad that the product is both unsafe and misbranded, posing a risk to public health.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the FDA has mandated the immediate recall of all affected products from market shelves. The ban is implemented under the stringent provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, underscoring the authorities’ commitment to ensuring food safety for the populace.
The product under scrutiny is identified as Snack Dressing (Sauce), specifically Batch No. 02. This batch was manufactured on May 2, 2026, with a stipulated expiry date of May 1, 2027. The affected items are one-litre packs produced by M/s Nirmal Fruits Products, situated at the Industrial Estate in Akhnoor, Jammu.
Officials revealed that a sample of the snack dressing was collected by the Food Safety Officer stationed in Akhnoor directly from the manufacturer’s premises on May 16, 2026. This sample was subsequently dispatched to the National Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad for comprehensive analysis. The laboratory’s findings conclusively determined the sample to be unsafe and misbranded, adhering to the established standards of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Following the receipt of the laboratory report, the Designated Officer for Food Safety in Jammu Rural initially issued a prohibition order restricting the sale of the implicated batch within the Jammu district. Subsequently, the Commissioner of Food Safety, acknowledging the broader public health implications, has extended this ban across the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir.
The FDA has issued clear directives to all entities involved in the food business, including distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. They are required to cease the immediate sale and distribution of the banned batch. Furthermore, businesses must withdraw any existing stock of this batch from their premises and promptly inform the relevant Designated Officer about the quantities held. The recall process is to be initiated without any delay to prevent further circulation of the unsafe product.
Enforcement officials have been mobilized and instructed to ensure the rigorous implementation of this order. They are empowered to initiate legal proceedings against any individual or business found to be in contravention of the ban, particularly if the banned batch is discovered to be on sale.
The FDA has also issued an appeal to consumers, urging them not to use the affected batch of Nirmal Fruits Products snack dressing. Consumers who encounter the product or suspect any instances of unsafe food are encouraged to report their findings. This can be done through the dedicated toll-free helpline number 104 or by sending an email to cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in. The administration aims to create a robust reporting mechanism to swiftly address potential food safety concerns.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
