Srinagar: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has conducted 140 food safety inspections across several districts of the Union Territory and collected 55 food samples for quality and safety testing.
According to officials, the samples included milk and milk products, edible oils, spices and other food commodities. The samples have been sent for analysis to assess compliance with prescribed food safety standards.
During the enforcement drive, the FDA issued 17 improvement notices to food business operators under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Eleven cases were also compounded under Section 69 of the Act, with penalties amounting to ₹11,000 imposed on the violators.
Officials said 97 food labels were examined for compliance with labelling regulations, of which two were found to be non-compliant with the prescribed provisions.
In a separate action, the registration of a food business operator in Reasi district was cancelled for alleged violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The inspections covered food business establishments, e-commerce operators dealing in food items, milk and milk products, edible oils, spices and imported food products. Food supplied through the Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) was also inspected during the drive.
The enforcement activities were carried out in the districts of Jammu, Doda, Kathua, Samba, Reasi, Udhampur, Srinagar, Anantnag, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Budgam.
The FDA said designated officers and food safety officers have been directed to continue inspections, sampling, label scrutiny and enforcement measures and take action against violations in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act and related regulations.
The administration has also urged consumers to report suspected cases of unsafe, adulterated or substandard food through the toll-free helpline 104 or via email to the department.