‘Zero tolerance on food adulteration’: Valley-wide raids launched to bust rotten meat racket
Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Aug 11 (KINS): In a major crackdown on the sale of rotten meat, the administration, in joint action with Jammu and Kashmir Police, has launched surprise raids across all districts of Kashmir to dismantle a racket that has stunned and outraged people across the Valley.
The operation, part of the government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy on food adulteration, aims to identify and penalize traders endangering public health, with offenders facing heavy fines, license cancellations, and possible criminal prosecution.
The move follows the seizure and destruction of quintals of rotten meat from markets across Kashmir, triggering serious public health and safety concerns.
According to news agency KINS, officials from the Food Safety Department, along with municipal enforcement teams and police, are part of the inspection squads.
These teams are conducting unannounced visits to butcher shops, meat processing units, and cold storage facilities to ensure traders have no opportunity to hide or replace spoiled stock.
Sources said the inspections focus on verifying storage conditions, assessing the freshness of meat, and reviewing procurement records to trace any supply of expired or unfit products. Samples collected during the raids are being sent for laboratory testing to confirm compliance with quality standards.
A senior official warned that anyone found guilty will face strict action. “The sale of rotten meat is not just a violation of the law but a grave threat to public health. We will ensure such practices are eliminated from the market,” he said.
KINS reported that consumers have called for strict follow-up measures to deter offenders. The crackdown is expected to intensify in the coming days as authorities work to restore consumer confidence and ensure food safety in the Valley.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Sakina Itoo voiced deep concern over the growing health risks posed by food adulteration. Citing alarming rises in cancer, liver ailments, and heart disease, she pledged decisive action — including district-level testing labs, rigorous inspections, and strict penalties for violators — alongside efforts to rebuild trust between doctors and patients. (KINS)
