Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing food safety enforcement campaign following recent seizures of unsafe meat and meat products, especially in the Kashmir Valley. He directed strict punitive action against those found storing or selling unsafe food, stressing that offenders endangering public health must be prosecuted under the Food Safety & Standards Act. He also called for criminal proceedings against the most serious violators.
“The serious issue seems to have gone unchecked and unnoticed for too long. Unscrupulous individuals have risked the health and lives of people. This must stop, and those deliberately endangering public health must face the law,” the Chief Minister said.
“I commend the officials for launching this drive and uncovering serious issues in our food supply chain. Public health is non-negotiable, and this campaign will continue relentlessly. We will also audit the relevant departments and strengthen mechanisms to prevent the import, sale, and use of unhygienic meat and other food items,” the Chief Minister added.
To reinforce quality control, the CM ordered the setup of entry-point check posts and testing labs at Lakhanpur and Qazigund to screen mutton, chicken, and other perishables entering Jammu & Kashmir.
He further directed that Food Testing Laboratories be established at every district headquarters, expanding beyond Jammu and Srinagar, thereby boosting the government’s enforcement capabilities. No meat should be sold or used without proper clearance.
The Chief Minister emphasized strengthening the Food Safety and Drugs Organization to ensure strict monitoring and prompt action against violations.
He also instructed intensified inspection drives across all districts, with Deputy Commissioners personally leading surprise market checks to enforce hygiene and quality standards. All mobile food-testing vans are to be deployed immediately to support these operations.
While acknowledging public and media concern, the CM urged citizens to report issues to authorities rather than taking matters into their own hands. He warned against vigilante actions and directed the Food Safety Department to follow due process, collaborate with police for surprise raids, and avoid harassing traders who comply with safety rules.
The CM also ordered registration of all food distributors, traders, and vendors under a formal licensing system. An inter-departmental committee will be formed to coordinate efforts, ensuring safe, hygienic, fresh, and properly labelled perishable food like meat and chicken.
Departments must verify that meat comes from safe sources, maintain the cold chain, and ensure cold stores have deep-freezing facilities. The CM expressed serious concern over harmful chemicals, unauthorized synthetic additives, and coloring agents used in food, highlighting their health risks.
Health experts, including the Director of SKIMS and Principal of GMC Srinagar, briefed the meeting on the dangers of food adulteration and urged changes in food habits to curb chronic illnesses.
The meeting was attended by Health & Education Minister Sakina Itoo, Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmed Dar, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Satish Sharma, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Agriculture Shailender Kumar, and other senior officials.
Dr. Abid Rashid Shah detailed recent enforcement actions, seizures of unsafe meat and poultry, penalties under law, and roles of various departments including Food Safety, Civil Supplies, Agriculture, Industries, Home, Housing, and District Administration.
He also outlined a 30-day action plan involving: mapping all food businesses and vendors, intensified inspections, public reporting campaigns via “Dial 104,” community engagement, and setting up entry check posts at Lakhanpur and Qazigund.
Concluding the meeting, the CM reaffirmed the government’s commitment to coordinated action to stop violations in the sale, storage, and distribution of perishable items—especially meat, meat products, and dairy—ensuring top consumer safety and public health standards.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged the public to stay vigilant and avoid buying processed meat from unauthorized vendors.
