JAMMU: The Food Safety Wing of Food and Drugs Administration Department (F&DAD), in compliance with the instructions issued by the Commissioner, FDA, J&K, carried out series of surprise inspections of food business establishments across Jammu and Kashmir in past one week.
The special drive was necessitated amidst growing concern that some unscrupulous traders can take advantage of lockdown imposed by the Government due to pandemic COVID -19.
The exercise was carried out to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food to the end user.
The Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration, J&K, Shakeel-Ur-Rehman, had issued instructions to the enforcement staff to conduct inspections of all Food Business Operators (FBOs) in the supply chain to ensure strict compliance of the guidelines issued by Apex Authority i.e. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Food Safety and Hygiene practices for FBOs during COVID-19. The instructions called for paying due attention to food products of mass consumption (spices, edible oil, cereals and cereal products, bakery products, milk and milk products and also other certain food products) and sought to furnish weekly reports in this regard.
During the special drive, commencing from May01, 2020, the enforcement staff carried out 996 inspections, lifted 62 samples of different food items viz. Mustard Oil, Til Oil, Spices, Atta, Milk, Dates etc. and destroyed food item which includes vegetables, fruits, milk etc. amounting to Rs. 25000/-.
Moreover, 04 challans, under various provisions of the Act, were recommended against the erring FBOs which shall be filed in due course of time.
Besides, the drive led to seizure of 560 Kg Ghee and 91 Kg of spices after lifting statutory samples which have been sent to the Food Testing Laboratory for ascertaining the quality of the said food item.
Meanwhile, during April, 2020, the Food Testing Laboratory carried out analysis of 147 samples, out of which 46 have been declared substandard/misbranded. Action against the concerned FBOs shall be initiated as per the procedure laid down under the FSS Act, 2006.
The Commissioner, FDA, J&K, has also issued instructions to reach out to the end users to generate awareness among masses about the importance of safe food as also hygiene and sanitation through various modes including Mobile Food Testing Vans.
The department has appealed the consumers to bring any instance of unfair trade practices or quality issue to the notice of the department at email: dycommissionerfoodsafetyjmu@gmail.com and Phone no. 9419191357 (for Jammu Div); deputycontrollerkashmir@gmail.com and Phone no. 0194-2495191 (Kashmir Div) and J&K HQ: cfsjandk@gmail.com.
