Pulwama: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has ordered the immediate suspension of manufacturing activities at two paneer manufacturing units in Pulwama after detecting alleged violations of food safety and hygiene norms during an inspection.
According to the FDA, Food Safety Officers inspected the units at Talangam following a specific complaint.
During the inspection, officials reported several violations of the sanitary and hygienic requirements prescribed under Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. The alleged deficiencies included the use of non-food-grade plastic material, inadequate pest control measures and the absence of proper temperature-controlled storage facilities for perishable milk products.
Officials collected two paneer samples from the units and sent them to an NABL-accredited notified food laboratory for analysis to determine compliance with prescribed quality and safety standards under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The FDA said prohibition orders under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 were issued against both establishments, directing them to cease manufacturing activities until the identified deficiencies are rectified and the required food safety, sanitary and hygiene standards are met.
The department appealed to consumers to report suspected food safety violations through its toll-free helpline 104 or by emailing cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in.