The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in Jammu and Kashmir has significantly ramped up its enforcement activities targeting food business operators found to be in violation of food safety regulations. Recent drives have seen extensive inspections, sample collections, and regulatory actions across the Union Territory, aimed at ensuring compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Kashmir FDA Conducts Widespread Inspections
In a recent large-scale operation, the FDA inspected 229 hotels and restaurants across Jammu and Kashmir. During these inspections, 124 food samples were collected from various categories including milk and milk products, spices, edible oils, and prepared foods. These samples have been sent to NABL-accredited laboratories for thorough analysis to determine their adherence to safety standards. The drive also identified deficiencies in sanitary and hygienic practices at several food establishments. As a result, 38 Improvement Notices were issued, directing the businesses to implement corrective measures promptly. Furthermore, five cases were formally filed under Section 56 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, carrying potential penalties up to ₹1 lakh. An additional 29 cases were compounded under Section 69 of the Act, leading to the imposition of fines totaling ₹50,000. Food business operators have been advised to strictly adhere to all requirements concerning food safety, sanitation, hygiene, storage, and preparation. The FDA has cautioned that any violations will be met with stringent action as per the law. Consumers are encouraged to report any suspected instances of unsafe or adulterated food through the toll-free helpline 104 or via the official FDA email.
Focus on Labelling and Product Quality
Beyond general safety compliance, the FDA has also intensified its scrutiny of food product labelling and packaging. A special drive focused on checking compliance with labelling and display regulations found 35 out of 455 scrutinised food samples to be non-compliant. These violations pertained to mandatory declarations such as ingredients, nutritional information, batch numbers, expiry dates, and manufacturer details, as well as health and nutritional claims. Notices have been issued to the concerned Food Business Operators (FBOs) requiring them to rectify these deficiencies within a specified period. In cases where violations are not rectified, further legal action is slated to be initiated. Penalties for misbranding and misleading advertisements can extend up to ₹3 lakh and ₹10 lakh respectively, under Sections 52 and 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Enforcement Actions and Penalties
The enforcement activities have encompassed a wide range of food businesses, including dairy processing units, e-commerce platforms, and food items supplied through public distribution systems. In one instance, a food business registration in Reasi district was cancelled due to contravention of the Act. Several establishments in Kupwara and Budgam faced regulatory action concerning meat and meat products due to misbranding and misleading labelling. For example, a hospital canteen in Kupwara was found to have failed to declare the type of meat being served, leading to a show-cause notice and a case filed before the Adjudicating Officer. Similarly, M/s Paak Foods in Budgam was found to be marketing a product as “Minced Kabab” which violated labelling regulations. The FDA has stressed that maintaining a complete cold chain and ensuring proper hygiene are critical. The department continues to monitor the market and take prompt regulatory action against violators to safeguard consumer health across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chenab Times News Desk