Chief Secretary Urges Strengthened Food Safety Enforcement to Protect Public Health
SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level review meeting to evaluate the functioning of the Food Safety Wing of the Drug & Food Control Organisation (DFCO), following recent seizures of rotten meat across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA; Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Commissioner, Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Commissioners of JMC and SMC; Directors of FCS&CA, Kashmir, and Health Departments of Jammu and Kashmir, along with other senior officials.
Emphasizing the critical importance of public health, the Chief Secretary called for strengthening enforcement mechanisms, enhancing surveillance, and implementing strict regulatory measures to ensure a safe and hygienic food supply throughout the Union Territory. He directed intensified inspections of all food businesses, particularly high-risk Food Business Operators (FBOs), and stressed the need for stronger deterrents against violators.
Noting the limitations of penalties alone, he instructed authorities to pursue convictions, license suspensions, and criminal proceedings vigorously to curb malpractices. He also mandated the preparation of a comprehensive enforcement action plan for full implementation of the Food Safety & Standards Act.
During the meeting, Secretary Health & Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, outlined the DFCO’s mandate under the Food Safety & Standards Act, including regulation of food manufacture, storage, sale, and distribution through surveillance, inspections, licensing, awareness campaigns, prosecutions, and issuance of prohibition orders as necessary.
Commissioner, FDA, Smita Sethi, presented the Organisation’s performance highlights. She stated that in the current financial year, the department conducted 9,294 inspections, including 1,145 risk-based checks, and collected 2,477 legal samples, of which 210 failed quality tests. Fines totaling Rs 85.80 lakh were imposed on offenders.
Under special enforcement drives, 1,081 inspections of meat and meat products were conducted, resulting in the seizure of 2,057 kg and destruction of 11,034 kg of substandard meat, nine license suspensions, and 34 cases recommended for prosecution. In the Jammu division, 45,462 kg of milk and milk-based products, including paneer and sweets, were also seized.
To further strengthen the Food Safety Wing, proposals include expedited recruitment to address manpower gaps, establishment of two additional modern food testing laboratories, procurement of 10 additional Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs) with FSSAI support, and the creation of modern slaughterhouses, permanent inspection check-posts, and cold storage chains for frozen meat and poultry products.
For effective oversight, the DFCO also recommended regular meetings of State and District Level Advisory Committees to enhance inter-agency coordination and ensure compliance across the UT.
