Says “Flying Squads to conduct surprise checks on high-risk products”
Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired an inter-departmental meeting to review a comprehensive action plan focused on food safety in the Union Territory.
The initiative follows alarming incidents involving the seizure of substandard meat and dairy products, highlighting concerns over food adulteration and public health risks. The meeting included key officials from various departments, emphasizing the need for stringent measures against unlabelled and non-standard packaged food items, particularly those imported without proper ingredient disclosure. The action plan, developed by the Food Safety Wing in collaboration with multiple departments, outlines both immediate and long-term strategies to prevent the entry of substandard food products into Jammu and Kashmir. Key features include the formation of joint inspection teams and flying squads for surprise checks in high-risk sectors such as meat, milk, and bakery products. Additionally, the plan proposes district-wise mapping of food businesses to facilitate targeted inspections. Infrastructure and surveillance enhancements are also integral to the strategy, with plans for establishing checkpoints and cold-chain facilities at critical transport routes to monitor high-risk food consignments. The initiative aims to address a significant deficit in meat supply through regulated mechanisms and the development of modern slaughterhouses equipped for safe processing and distribution. Mandatory sanitary and hygiene practices at food establishments will be enforced, supported by the deployment of qualified veterinary officers for routine inspections. The administration plans to launch mass awareness campaigns in partnership with NGOs and cooperatives to educate the public on food safety and encourage reporting of adulteration practices. Regular monthly meetings of District-Level Advisory Committees will be held to assess progress and tackle challenges. The Food Safety Wing will oversee licensing and inspections, while the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments will promote best practices. Chief Secretary Dulloo underscored the importance of inter-departmental coordination as essential for the success of this initiative, which aims not only to regulate but also to foster awareness, accountability, and trust in food safety. The administration calls on citizens and food business operators to support this comprehensive effort for the collective well-being of the Union Territory.
