Jammu Kashmir Seizes 12,000 Kg of Rotten Meat in Biggest-Ever Food Safety Drive | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that more than 12,000 kilograms of rotten and unsafe meat has been seized and destroyed across the Union Territory during the current financial year 2025–26, up to December 2025.

Responding to a query in the House, the Health and Medical Education Department stated that while food adulteration is not widespread, instances involving the sale and seizure of rotten or unsafe meat were reported in the Kashmir Valley during routine surveillance and special enforcement drives conducted across districts.

According to official figures, 1,676 inspections were carried out during the period, and 144 samples were collected. Of these, 18 were found to be of Non-Standard Quality (NSQ). A total of 2,139 kilograms of meat was seized, while 12,183.5 kilograms of rotten meat was destroyed. The value of the destroyed stock was estimated at Rs 29,19,060.

District-wise data shows that Srinagar recorded the highest quantity of destroyed rotten meat at 4,220 kilograms, followed by Jammu with 3,881 kilograms and Kupwara with 1,520.5 kilograms. Seizures were also reported in Anantnag (700 kg), Ganderbal (770 kg), Pulwama (450 kg), Budgam (234 kg), Bandipora (162 kg), Baramulla (125 kg) and Shopian (121 kg).

Additionally, 7,665 kilograms of paneer was seized or destroyed in Jammu (6,465 kg) and Samba (1,200 kg), with the total value of the confiscated paneer stock estimated at Rs 16,32,150.

The government stated that samples were sent for analysis to Food Testing Laboratories within and outside Jammu and Kashmir, including FSSAI-recognised NABL-accredited laboratories. It informed that two NABL-accredited Food Testing Laboratories are operational in the Union Territory—one each in Jammu and Srinagar—along with 12 fully functional Mobile Food Testing Laboratories.

However, the department acknowledged a shortage of technical staff, noting that 11 out of 19 sanctioned posts in each of the Jammu and Srinagar Food Testing Laboratories are currently vacant.

The government said enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is being intensified through regular inspections, sampling, suspension or cancellation of licences, imposition of penalties and prosecution of violators. Special drives during festivals and tourist seasons, awareness campaigns and inter-departmental coordination are also being undertaken to safeguard public health.