Food safety drives intensified across Kashmir ahead of Eid

Srinagar, May 26: The Food Safety Department has intensified inspections of bakeries, sweet shops, meat outlets and dairy establishments across Kashmir ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, as part of a special drive aimed at preventing the sale of substandard and unsafe food items during the festive season.

Officials said the inspections have been launched to safeguard public health amid increased food consumption and seasonal market expansion associated with Eid celebrations.

Over the past week, food safety teams, accompanied by officials from the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Legal Metrology Department and police, conducted inspections in several city areas, particularly in busy commercial hubs and markets surrounding major religious sites. The drive has primarily focused on bakery and confectionery products, milk and dairy items, meat, fruits and vegetables, which witness a sharp rise in demand during Eid.

Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Yameen-ul-Nabi, said milk samples collected from multiple sources have been sent for laboratory testing. He said milk and milk products are under close scrutiny as part of an ongoing national drive.

“Samples of vegetables and fruits have also been collected to check for pesticide residues beyond permissible limits. We have been proactive in monitoring the market for synthetic chemicals and other contaminants entering the food chain,” he said.

Officials associated with the inspections said hygiene standards, storage practices, expiry dates, labelling norms and the quality of raw materials used in food preparation are being closely examined. Samples of sweets, bakery products and other consumables have also been lifted for laboratory analysis, while on-the-spot fines have been imposed for labelling violations and minor contamination-related lapses.

The intensified enforcement comes amid recurring concerns over food adulteration and unhygienic food preparation practices in Kashmir. Officials said the drive forms part of a wider crackdown announced for festive seasons, when increased demand often leads to temporary market expansion and quality concerns.

During recent inspections in Srinagar, several bakery units were penalised for alleged food safety violations, while unhygienic food items were destroyed in some areas during surprise checks.

In other districts of Kashmir, inspection teams reportedly found meat stored in unhygienic conditions, food products allegedly containing unacceptable levels of chemicals, and restaurants operating without adhering to prescribed consumer safety standards.

Over the years, the Food Safety Department has uncovered instances of substandard meat supplied to restaurants, synthetic paneer, adulterated ghee and honey, as well as contaminated bottled water.

Officials said market inspections ahead of Eid are an annual exercise in Kashmir, although this year’s enforcement efforts have been more sustained and coordinated.

Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir government ordered the constitution of multi-department teams, including officials from the district administration and police, to strengthen monitoring and ensure the safety of food items in the market. Health experts have repeatedly warned that prolonged consumption of adulterated food may contribute to serious health complications, including an increased risk of cancer.