srinagar: In a major crackdown on unsafe and substandard meat, the Jammu and Kashmir government has issued stringent measures targeting food vendors and businesses across the Union Territory. The move comes amid repeated seizures of rotten, stale, or unsafe meat products destined for eateries in the valley over the past month.

Government directives to ensure food safety

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Smita Sethi, issued a public notice directing all Food Business Operators (FBOs)—including manufacturers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, cold storage operators, transporters, and e-commerce platforms—to strictly comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2020.

The notice emphasised that the sale of packaged meat products without proper and complete labelling is strictly prohibited. Vendors failing to comply may face penalties of up to ₹5 lakh and imprisonment of up to six years for violations involving unsafe food.

“The sale of such packaged food products without proper and complete label declaration is strictly prohibited,” said the notice.

Recent incidents trigger crackdown

Since the start of August, authorities in Kashmir have seized hundreds of kilograms of rotten or stale meat and meat products. The largest haul occurred on July 31, when the Food Safety Department in Srinagar, in coordination with the Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO), discovered quintals of decayed meat from an industrial estate in Zakoora, on the outskirts of the city.

“These incidents underline the urgent need to ensure strict adherence to food safety standards to protect public health,” the FDA stated.

Guidelines for storage, transport, and sale

The government has laid down precise conditions for handling fresh, chilled, and frozen meat:

  • Frozen meat and meat products must be stored and transported at -18°C or below at all stages from production to sale.
  • Short-term chilled storage at 4°C is allowed only for two to four days before consumption.
  • Products stored at -18°C must be consumed within 12 months of freezing.
  • All establishments must have calibrated temperature monitoring devices and maintain accurate records, both documentary and digital, for verification during inspections.

Additionally, packaging materials must be food-grade, non-toxic, safe, and compliant with FSSAI standards to prevent contamination. Any product labelled as Halal must also meet all FSSAI safety, hygiene, and labelling requirements.

Penalties for non-compliance

The FDA notice lists strict enforcement measures under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006:

  • Substandard products: up to ₹5 lakh (Section 51)
  • Misbranded products or missing label declarations: up to ₹3 lakh (Section 52)
  • Insanitary conditions: up to ₹1 lakh (Section 56)
  • Without FSSAI registration: up to ₹2 lakh (Section 48)
  • Without FSSAI license: up to ₹10 lakh (Section 63)

Offences involving unsafe food can also lead to imprisonment of up to six years, along with fines up to ₹5 lakh, as per Section 59(ii).

Government warns food operators

The notice urged all FBOs to immediately review and upgrade operations, ensure full compliance, maintain updated records, and remove or delist any non-compliant products from outlets and online platforms. Failure to comply will attract swift legal action without further notice.

“The government is committed to safeguarding public health and ensuring the highest standards of food safety. Any negligence will be met with strict action,” the notice concluded.