‘7 Rice Samples in Srinagar Fail Quality Standards; Legal Action Underway’ – Alfaaz – The Words

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that seven rice samples collected from markets in Srinagar have failed to meet prescribed quality standards, leading to the initiation of legal proceedings.

In a written reply to a starred question raised by legislator Shamim Firdous, the Health and Medical Education Department said it carried out market inspections across the Union Territory during the 2025-26 financial year. A total of 121 rice samples were lifted and sent to NABL-accredited food testing laboratories for analysis.

So far, 110 test reports have been received, of which seven samples were declared Not of Standard Quality (NSQ). Cases have accordingly been filed in competent courts under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

According to the reply, laboratory analysis revealed non-conformities such as folic acid levels exceeding permissible limits and a higher proportion of chalky kernels in certain consignments, resulting in their classification as NSQ.

The government, however, did not specify whether the samples were drawn from retail shops, wholesale outlets or other points in the supply chain, nor did it disclose the identities of the entities against whom cases have been registered