Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has inspected 95 street food vendors across the Jammu Division, compounded 11 cases and imposed fines totalling Rs 16,000 for violations of food safety regulations as part of a campaign to improve hygiene and safeguard public health.
According to the FDA, 19 cases have also been recommended for adjudication under Sections 56 and 58 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, before the competent authorities, including the respective Additional Deputy Commissioners of the districts concerned.
Alongside enforcement measures, officials organised 17 awareness sessions to educate street food vendors about safe food handling, personal hygiene, sanitation and compliance with statutory requirements.
During the inspections, officials detected unhygienic food-handling practices and the use of prohibited or unsuitable materials for packaging and serving food. In one enforcement action, food business operators were directed to destroy 10 kg of newspapers and 20 kg of snacks on the spot.
A fine of Rs 4,000 was imposed in connection with the violations, while further legal action was initiated wherever necessary, the FDA said.
The awareness programme stressed the importance of maintaining personal hygiene, keeping vending premises clean, preventing food contamination, using food-grade packaging and serving materials, and ensuring proper storage and handling of food to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
The FDA reiterated that effective food safety requires a combination of strict enforcement and sustained awareness among food business operators. It urged street food vendors to maintain prescribed sanitary conditions and ensure that food sold to consumers is safe and wholesome.
The administration said inspection, awareness and enforcement activities would continue across Jammu and Kashmir, with legal action to be taken against those found violating food safety standards.
Consumers have also been encouraged to report suspected food adulteration, unsafe food or unhygienic handling practices to the FDA through email at cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in.
