J&K Govt issues strict guidelines on sale of frozen meat, chicken products
Violators to face heavy fines, imprisonment
KINS Desk
Srinagar, Aug 21 (KINS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued a fresh public notice making it mandatory for all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to strictly comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines in the sale, storage, and distribution of frozen raw meat, chicken, and meat products.
The Office of the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, J&K, has directed that all manufacturers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, cold storage operators, transporters, and e-commerce platforms follow the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2020.
The notice, according to news agency KINS, emphasizes that sale of packaged food products without proper and complete label declarations will be strictly prohibited.
As per the definitions provided in the guidelines:
Fresh Meat refers to meat that has not been treated in any way to ensure preservation and is sold soon after slaughter.
Chilled Meat refers to fresh meat subjected to chilling so that the product is maintained at a temperature between 0°C and 4°C, thereby extending short-term shelf life.
Frozen Meat refers to meat that has been previously chilled and then subjected to freezing in appropriate equipment until it reaches a temperature of -18°C or lower for long-term storage and transportation.
The government has mandated that frozen meat and meat products must be stored and transported at -18°C or below at all stages, from production to point of sale. Short-term chilled storage at 4°C is permissible only for two to four days before consumption. Frozen products must be consumed within 12 months of freezing.
All establishments must be equipped with calibrated temperature-monitoring devices and maintain accurate documentary and digital records for verification during inspections, the notice stated.
Mandatory labeling
The Packaging and Labeling Regulations, 2020, require every package of frozen meat/chicken to clearly display the following particulars:
Name of the food product
Complete list of ingredients
Declaration of non-vegetarian status with prescribed symbol
Net quantity
Batch or lot number
Date of manufacture/packing
“Expiry” or “Use By” date
Storage conditions
Name and complete address of the manufacturer, packer, or importer
FSSAI license number and logo
For e-commerce platforms, the government has made it mandatory that the shelf life at the time of delivery should not be less than 30% of the total shelf life or a minimum of 45 days before expiry, whichever is earlier. Indicative product images and mandatory information must also be displayed online for consumer access.
Additionally, all packaging materials must be food-grade, safe, non-toxic, and compliant with FSSAI standards to prevent contamination. Any product labeled as Halal Certified (voluntary) must still adhere to all FSSAI safety, hygiene, and labeling requirements.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The notice warned of strict enforcement action against violators. Penalties include:
Up to ₹5 lakh for sub-standard products (Section 51)
Up to ₹3 lakh for misbranded products or missing label declarations (Section 52)
Up to ₹1 lakh for insanitary conditions (Section 56)
Up to ₹2 lakh for sale without FSSAI registration (Section 48)
Up to ₹10 lakh for sale without FSSAI license (Section 63)
Furthermore, offenses involving unsafe food are punishable with imprisonment of up to six years along with a fine of up to ₹5 lakh, under Section 59(iii) of the Act.
The administration has asked all FBOs to immediately review and upgrade their operations, maintain proper records, and remove or delist any non-compliant products from outlets and online platforms. Failure to comply will invite swift legal action without further notice. (KINS)
