Associated News Bureau

FDA Seizes, Destroys 1,600 Kg of Buffalo Meat at Budgam Railway Station Over Food Safety Violations , Preliminary Tests Indicate Consignment Unfit for Human Consumption; Authorities Enforce Cold-Chain Safety Standards

ANB NEWS NETWORK SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 14: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, in a joint enforcement operation with the Railway Police, railway authorities and the District Administration Budgam, seized and destroyed approximately 1,600 kilograms of buffalo meat at Budgam Railway Station after detecting serious violations of prescribed food safety and transportation standards. According to an official statement issued by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), J&K, to News Service Associated News Bureau (ANB), the enforcement action was initiated following specific information received from railway authorities regarding the transportation of a consignment of buffalo meat. Acting swiftly on the information, the Food Safety Team, Budgam, inspected the consignment and found that adequate refrigeration or dry-ice arrangements had not been made to maintain the mandatory transportation temperature of -18°C or below, in violation of prescribed cold-chain requirements. The consignment was subsequently examined through the department's Food Safety on Wheels facility. Preliminary test results indicated that the meat was unfit for human consumption. In view of the findings, the entire consignment, weighing approximately 1,600 kilograms, was seized and destroyed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and established procedures governing the disposal of food articles deemed unsafe for human consumption. The FDA further disclosed that, in an earlier enforcement operation, food safety authorities had seized approximately 2,600 kilograms of meat in Srinagar, underscoring the department's continued efforts to curb the transportation and distribution of unsafe food commodities. Reaffirming its commitment to protecting public health, the department stated that strict surveillance and enforcement measures are being maintained across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir to prevent the transportation, distribution and sale of unsafe and non-compliant food products. The FDA also warned that stringent legal action would be initiated against individuals and entities found violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with the rules and regulations framed thereunder. Meanwhile, consumers have been urged to remain vigilant and report cases involving the sale or distribution of unsafe, adulterated or substandard food products through the department's official email: cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in. The enforcement drive highlights the importance of maintaining prescribed food safety standards, particularly during the transportation and handling of perishable food commodities, to safeguard public health and protect consumers from potential health hazards.ANB