Associated News Bureau

FDA Conducts 276 Inspections Across J&K Ahead of Diwali, Destroys 800 Kg of Unhygienic Sweets

Srinagar, November 6: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has intensified its festive enforcement and sampling drive across all districts ahead of Diwali to ensure the availability of safe, hygienic and quality food products in the market. During the two-day drive, the department conducted 276 inspections and collected 132 food samples from various food establishments for analysis. It also compounded 34 cases under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, realising fines amounting to ₹39,000. The enforcement exercise further resulted in the suspension of two food business licences for violations of prescribed licensing conditions, while 14 Improvement Notices were issued under Section 32 of the Act, directing the concerned Food Business Operators to rectify the identified deficiencies within the stipulated period. Additionally, 13 cases were recommended for legal action under Sections 56 and 58 of the Act over violations involving unhygienic and insanitary conditions in food processing and handling. In a significant action, the department destroyed 800 kilograms of sweets in Jammu and Kathua districts after finding them processed under poor sanitary and unhygienic conditions. The estimated value of the destroyed sweets was ₹1.44 lakh. The FDA has urged consumers to remain vigilant while purchasing food items during the festive season and advised them to procure products only from licensed or registered food business operators. Consumers have also been asked to check labelling, manufacturing and expiry dates on packaged food products. The department has further appealed to the public to report suspected cases of food adulteration and violations of food safety norms to the concerned authorities. ANB